He for she

This one doesn't need an explanation but it does need a share. The more it gets shared the clearer the message will be. And the definition of feminism is fairly spot on in my opinion. Emma Watson is such a babe.

Ruby's

Maria's housewarming

One of the first weekends I had in London, in fact the Friday of my first week of work and before we had even moved into the flat, Maria had a housewarming. It was low key and gorgeous. Filled with catch ups and lovely to see her new home. Most of it was spent with a glass of wine in hand and all of us giggling and I can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night. It wasn't a late one for me as had to  face the commute home but it was the perfect start to the London nights to come. 

The genuine smiles in the photo above definitely does the night justice. 

<3

Mayfair baby

Just a little sneak peak, this is where I get to go to work everyday.

10 Things That Have Made Me Happy This Week

I've been playing catch up in all areas of my life at the moment and constantly feel like I'm one step behind. London living, new job and life admin are busy busy busy and blogging has been the thing to take a back seat. I've been poorly for the last couple of days and couldn't face the tube in my dizzy state this morning so am having a sleeping day which was very necessary. My drafts have been filled with all of the adventures I want to share from the past few weeks but I thought I would start with the things that have been making me happy this week. When life is busy its nice to note how important the small things are.

Images via my Pinterest 

1) Louis' naming ceremony. My godson had his naming ceremony on Sunday. We ate scones, drank champagne, chatted and caught up with family and friends at a vineyard in Essex. Perfect day.

2) Seeing the leaves begin to turn colour and fall from the trees. I love this time of year. Knowing that winter boots are just round the corner makes me very happy.

3) Scarves. The saviour to tube travel when its not quite cold enough for a coat.

4) Coming back to my London flat. Drama free, clean and always with a full fridge. The contrast and atmosphere compared to uni living is unbelievable and I'm so enjoying it.

5) 4 days with the boy in London. Hasn't happened for a long time and was chilled out and lovely.

6) Responsibility at work. I'm running 4 events within a month of each other and finding the challenge so exciting.

7) Knowing that home, mummy, family and the countryside are only ever an hour away.

8) The fact that my big brother is on Grand Designs tonight ahhhh! I love that programme so my excitement levels are massive right now!

9) Charity shop shopping. Dalston has the gem of a charity shop. £2.99 an item and the rails are filled with Hobbs, Zara and Topshop among numerous vintage finds.

10) Making weekend plans for London exploring, wandering and discovering and aiming to fit in a trip to Columbia Road flower market on Sunday morning too.

<3

Wicksteed

Last week I made the trek up (it's definitely still north!) to Northampton. Well, the fields just outside but even they are definitely still up north!! On Wednesday it was gorgeously sunny so after an amazing brekfast of pain au chocolate we headed to Wicksteed park. Described as 'a legacy dating back to 1913' the park is filled with rides, crazy golf, a few animals and lots of ice cream stops! 

Riddle & Finns

Straight after my graduation ceremony we headed to Riddle & Finns on the Brighton seafront.

A summer of sorting

The past few months have been a bit crazy. Writing 2 dissertations, leaving uni, looking for a job, graduating, packing, unpacking, a break up, the bit after where it was decided it was all a bit of a mistake and trying to deal with everything that comes with that and really, just getting on with real life in the whole post uni haze.  

Catching a Tiger

I think I'm a little late to the game with this one but I've just discovered Lissie's album, 'Catching a Tiger'. And I love it. The whole way through. In fact, there wasn't a single track that I skipped which is an absolute rarity for me. If you haven't heard it have a listen… think dinner parties, chill out time and perfect background work music. It's definitely been getting me through my freelancing this week!

The whole album is available on Youtube here.

I finally graduated!

Life has been moving pretty quickly the last week weeks - update to come! But on Friday I finally graduated. I say finally as it seems to have been a long time coming! I had two years off in the end before starting uni and then a 3 year BA course and when my friends started working in hot shot city jobs as I was starting second year, I sometimes felt a little like I was playing catch up.

10 reasons I can't wait to live in London

Having returned home from uni and now attempting to sort my life out I'm getting excited to make the move to London at the end of the summer, fingers crossed! London is just one of those cities that always seems to have something new to offer so here's my list of 10 reasons why I'm looking forward to the move!

1.

The weekend exploring. Despite having spent a lot of time in London over the past few years I can't wait to be able to be there permanently and just be able to explore. It seems like every little pocket of the capital has something different to offer and its going to be amazing to be able to go discovering. Columbia Road Flower Market is one of my favourite spots on a Sunday morning and fingers crossed I won't be living too far away… just look at it!

It's what's underneath that counts

If someone asked you at this very moment to take off all of your clothes, what would you be left with? 

The Pinterest Obsession

There is no denying it, I am completely and utterly obsessed with Pinterest. These obsessions always seem to develop around the time of deadlines and this time is no different!! Boards range from house inspiration, to party planning and recipe ideas to my current lust list.

Greece

I spent the last week in Greece, hanging out at the Michelangelo Resort and Spa. Mummy decided a dissertation break was more than needed and as she conveniently had a week booked off work we hopped on a plane on Tuesday evening. 

Found

An original concept store.

Well at least that's how the website describes it. I stumbled across Found when I was wandering around Bath a couple of weeks ago, drawn in by the leather bags on display in the big shop front, and the sign saying that the store had been given the accolade of best boutique by numerous high end magazines.

White wash floors and interesting display cases. Old furniture holding high end pieces. Leather, enamel wear, jewellery and clothing was laid out sympathetically throughout the space. The staff were bubbly without being pushy, wanting to share the brands story and tell us all about the wears of the unique designers that they stocked.

The handbags were the thing that struck me the most. Sleek and elegant and of exceptional quality. Effortlessly high end. Each bag is hand made in New Zealand, inspired by the opulence of 1920s America. The black leather juxtaposed with gold handle was definitely my favourite.

Unusual accessories and homewares fill the shelves and we spent our time browsing everything in sight. 

A gorgeous colourful leather pouch, as well as a Deadly Ponies bag are most definitely on my wish list.

Now make sure you check them out online here.

Kedgeree

Recipe's seem to be taking over on the blog the last few days. Being home with full cupboards and a fabulously filled fridge just makes me want to cook, as does the luxury of having everything here already - you sort of forget about the need to actually shop!! Kedgeree is a traditional Indian dish, with a rice base that is often eaten for breakfast in the Southern states, Kerala in particular. This one has been adapted over the years and I think is a pretty good version! Rice, spices, smoked haddock, tomatoes and boiled eggs - what's not to like? Its also super easy and really filling to eat, and could easily be made with a brown rice alternative.

Ingredients
(serves 2/3)

1 White onion
2 cloves of garlic
Olive oil
2/3 free range eggs
Cherry or plum tomatoes
1 tsp Ground cumin
1 tsp Ground coriander
2 fillets of smoked haddock
Juice of a lemon
Basmati rice
Fresh coriander to serve.

Optional extras: fresh chilli, fennel seeds, cardamon seeds

---------

Prehat the oven to 200 degrees and place your smoked haddock on a baking tray with a little bit of oil , salt and pepper. Cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until cooked through.

Wash and drain the rice (approximately 1 cup per person) before cooking in boiling water for 10 minutes.

Put another pan on the heat with some boiling water in - we have an egg pan as boiling eggs destroys the coating on most saucepans - and once bubbling carefully pop your eggs in, for about 10 minutes if they're medium sized. You want them to be hardboiled.

Begin by finely chopping your onion, and popping it into a frying pan with a glug of oil. Stir contastly on a medium head until softened and then add the spices to the pan, continuing to stir so they don't burn. Cook the spices for a couple of minutes to allow the flavours to release. Add in chopped garlic and mix with the onion and spices. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, add in the tomatoes and leave on the heat until softened.

By this time the rice will be cooked so drain it off, add it to the frying pan with the juice of the lemon and mix together with a fork to avoid the rice sticking - there is nothing worse than sticky rice!! Season as desired!

Grab the fish from the oven, remove the skin and flake into the pan. Run the eggs under cold water for a couple of minutes until you can hold them, peel off the shells and quarter. Pop them into the pan and serve with a sprinkling of coriander, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze more lemon juice if required. Once you've made it once having three pans on the go will be a doddle and this is another fab recipe that can be thrown together at the last minute and where the flavours speak for themselves!

Spring vegetable stew

I'm continuing with the stew theme this week, this time with a delicious green vegetable number, filled with spinach, fresh mint and spring freshness. This one sort of just happened. I was raiding the fridge when babysitting for my niece in an attempt to cook her something yummy for supper and the abundance of Spring veggies just couldn't be outdone. This is the perfect kitchen supper on a spring evening, quick to put together, full of flavour and perfect with some fresh crunchy bread, torn apart and warmed up in the oven or on the aga.

Ingredients:
(serves 4)

Olive oil or coconut oil
1 leek
1 white onion
2 cloves garlic
1 courgette
1 sweet potato, peeled
1 aubergine
A bag of spinach
Frozen peas
A handful of fresh mint
Salt and pepper
A litre or so of veggie stock
A good loaf of bread for serving

Begin by chopping your onion and leek finale and popping it into a large heavy based pan with some oil of choice. Cook for five until softened, then add in the garlic and courgette. Cook for another five on a medium heat, stirring often.

Next, add the stock to the pan, pop in your cubed and peeled sweet potato and cook off for a further five or so minutes until the potato begins to soften. At this point add chopped aubergine and season well with salt and pepper. Pop the bread into the oven to warm through.

You're nearly there! When all the veggies have softened (this will only be 15-20 minutes after you start cooking, told you it was a simple one!) add in the spinach and allow to wilt down, along with the fresh mint and frozen peas. Grab the bread, tear onto a big wooden board. Choose some bowls, get the spoons, turn of the heat and devour. 

Healthy, wholesome and most importantly delicious!

10 things that have made me happy this week, in pictures

The Bath blossom reminding us that Spring is finally here!

A little bit of Zara shopping cheered up dissertation days; another day, another desk seems to be my life motto at the moment!

Reading this, agreeing whole-heartedly...

And then booking a holiday to here next week! Oh hiiiii Greece and your beaut infinity pool! I'm dreaming of the heat already… bring me s u n s h i n e! 

Obviously this required bikini shopping… 

And I ventured home to have a bit of a change of scene for the diss writing. Its incredible to be able to sit outside and write. I <3 home. 

Seeing this little beauty has definitely been a highlight as well! 

As have delicious suppers at Milsoms, long overdue catch ups and big glasses of wine! 

And incredible sunsets over the water outside the house. 

Completely gigantic Easter eggs have also made it onto the list!

Happy Easter everyone! 

Harri's fish stew (courtesy of Jamie)

(Jamie's version!)

This little wonder is a bowl of garlic deliciousness. Filled with succulent fish, fresh herbs and served with crunchy lemon thyme bread its the perfect sharing supper, and one that has been firmly added to my repertoire! Harri made this for us when we visited Bath last week and I've already recreated it at home for the family - it was that good. The recipe is adapted from one in Jamie's 15 minute meals. I would say that you can whip it up from start to finish in half an hour and the best possible accompaniment is a glass of wine, or three, lots of finger bowls and some good company!

FOR THE GARLIC BEAD

1 ciabatta loaf

3-4 cloves of garlic

a few springs of lemon thyme

extra virgin olive oil

FOR THE FISH STEW

1 bulb fennel

tin of anchovy fillets

4 spring onions

half a red chilli

olive oil

2 cloves garlic

125ml white wine

700 grams passata

400g of white fish (pollock, cod etc)

400g mussels

4 langoustines 

FOR THE SAUCE

3 tbsp natural yoghurt

1/2 cloves garlic

a pinch of saffron

juice of half a lemon

So, begin with the bread. Cut deep crosses in the ciabatta. Squash the garlic through a garlic crusher over the bread, add the thyme sprigs and a pinch of salt and pepper, then drizzle over the extra virgin olive oil.  Rub into the cracks of the bread, then put into the oven until golden.

Next, halve the fennel (reserving any leafy tops) and put into the food processor with the anchovies, the trimmed spring onions and chilli, then blitz until finely chopped. Pop into a large heavy based saucepan with a good glug of olive oil and turn the heat up to high, stirring regularly. Squash in the garlic through a garlic crusher, then pour the wine into the pan and let it cook away. Pour in the passata and half a jar of boiling water (350ml), tear in most of the basil leaves and season with salt and pepper.

Cut the fish into chunks (I think its fine to just stick to one type of white fish in this dish, its so full of flavour anyway!), then add all the seafood to the pan (throw away any open mussels that don’t close when tapped), cover with the lid and boil.

For the sauce, peel the garlic and bash with a pinch of salt and the saffron in a pestle and mortar, then muddle in the yoghurt and a squeeze of lemon juice. We didn't have saffron in the cupboard the first time we made this and it was absolutely fine without and the yoghurt is the perfect accompaniment to the heat of the chilli. 

 When the mussels and clams have opened (throw away any that remain closed), the fish will be cooked through (roughly 4 minutes). Season to taste, then serve scattered with the remaining basil leaves and fennel tops, the saffron sauce and garlic bread.  Enjoy!