Baby You're a Firework

In amongst the essay madness was a trip to Lewes on Tuesday for their renowned bonfire night celebrations. We started off with lunch at Prezzo and a couple of drinks in the pub before heading out to join the celebrations.

Lewes is a big deal. Pagan celebrations, parades, 7 bonfires and fireworks. People trek from miles around to attend the event and this year was no exception with over 30,000 people making their way to the tiny town!

This year was my first visit and we got very very lucky, attending as guests of the Town Council and being hosted at Lewes House which as well as being gorgeous, had the perfect viewing platform above the crowds and even better a very large supply of free wine!! The photos tell the story better than I can...

By 9 o'clock we were feeling decidedly tipsy and made our way down to one of the firework fields, Southover. The scene was amazing and we did not expect it to match up to the atmosphere of the parades but it really really did! The fire was huge, the crowds were entertaining, the mud was knee deep and the fireworks were breathtaking. Amazing!

Thank you for hosting us Lewes and thank you Georgey for having contacts in the right places!!!

Planet India

Last night was a girly night. After days on end in the libs (writing 7000 just cannot be described as fun) we decided that supper was in order. We pre-empted that a weekend in the library would be tricky so we booked a table mid week for 4 at the renowned Planet India on Richmond Parade in Brighton. The day had been a wet one and having sat with soggy feet all day, and then wished I was my niece having been sent a photo of her all cosy in her pram, we knew that we were on to a winner with an Indian!

Planet India does not look like anything special from the outside but preconceptions really can be deceiving. Garish pink, its hard to miss but when you step inside to warmth, good smells and an array of traditional Southern Indian decoration you will not be disappointed.

We were seated quickly at a table in the window and quickly surveyed the huge choice of beer before getting on with the ordering! This place is always packed but the service cannot be faulted. I think the best thing about this restaurant is that you can split your choices - so two curries on one plate, what's not to like! I went for Tarka Dahl and Potato Curry and we ordered some chapatis and cumin rice for the table. The food isn't particularly pretty but it is completely delicious, full of proper flavours and enough spice to make your lips tingle! The chapatis are made with wholemeal flour which is always a bonus and the cumin rice is one of the best I've had. All of the food on the menu is veggie but don't let this put you off; its good traditional Indian food at really reasonable prices and in a great atmosphere - the owner walks around in bare face and his wife doesn't stop smiling. My only advice is book ahead and truly embrace the unusual menu! 

<3

Sleek, silky and glossy

So, when I was last at home (...remember?) I had a little bit of a mummy treat with some of my favourite  hair care products. Now you might be thinking, really, why does this matter but believe me, as a student every little treat is a big deal and I certainly can't afford these babies from my student loan! They are incredible though and I couldn't resist a little share...

My favourite out of the Catwalk shampoos is either Headshot or the Curls Rock, oatmeal and honey yumminess in a bottle and I've been 'borrowing' mummys' for as long as I can remember! The shampoos are nourishing yet don't leave your hair feeling greasy in the way that some richer haircare products do and the smell is simply divine! The conditioner is the same, nourishing and lovely and you dry your hair feeling and smelling like you've just walked out of a salon. Until I can afford 'blowdries once a week darlingggg' these little babies are the way forward. Most good hairdressers stock Catwalk products and will be happy to reccommend what's best for your hair type so check them out next time you fancy a little bit of pampering!

Slutty Brownies

These are the ultimate comfort food and all courtesy to Betty Crocker and a fabulous recipe from The Londoner which I adapted slightly to truly fulfil my hangover needs last week! (And if you haven't found The Londoner yet then a) where have you been?! and b) get following!).

You will need:

1 Box of cookie mix,

1 Box of brownie mix,

2 Eggs,

A couple of your favourite chocolate bars - I used Terrys Chocolate Orange

Some oil - I prefer sunflower to vegetable 

& your favourite ice-cream (optional)

Preheat your oven to 350F, 180C, gas mark 4.

Line a baking tray with grease proof paper.

Pop your cookie mix into a bowl, add water as directed on the pack, and an extra spoon for good measure to stop the mixture from drying out too much when its in the oven.

Squidge the cookie dough into a baking tray (greased or lined) until it covers the bottom. Then add a layer of your favourite chocolate. This is where Rosie uses Oreos but as I didn't have any in the cupboard I decided to give chocolate a go and it resulted in a deliciously gooey chocolatey yumminess!

Next, mix the brownies as directed on the packet, until smooth and pour over the chocolate-cookie mixture...

Bake for approximately 30 minutes. Remove from the oven. Leave to cool and devour/if you're feeling nice let your housemates join in and help! Mmmmm, I will definitely be making these little babies again!

Feeling 1920s

On Saturday evening I found my 1920s glad rags, pinned my hair and donned the deep red lipstick in aid of Flo's 21st and a 1920s inspired party. Once again, everyone made such an effort with the costumes and the boys had done a great job of decorating the house. The poker table was the central attraction, along with ballons and props inspired by the era.  I love this picture, it sums up the sober part of the night for me...

And here are some of the incredible costumes that the girlies pulled out...

Obviously with a little bit of posing along the way: the 1920s was full of it don't you know!

Gradually the night got sillier...

And sillier... but this is the birthday lady so its definitely okay!

The cake was fabulous, the atmosphere was great and the 5 Miley songs in a row kinda epitomised the night!

Thank you Flo for another incredible 21st - they do make me feel old now though, how am I 23 in couple of months when everyone around me is only just turning 21, ahhhh! <3

10 things that have made me happy this week...

1) Letters from my gorgeous niece and big sister. Post is good, this kind of post is the best!

2) Halloween with my favourites. Dressing up, drinking too much and being silly never grows old. Incredible costumes just makes it even better!

3) Ice lolly hangover cures.

4) Zara. Better than usual at the moment and its normally pretty fab. I can't stop popping in to my local Brighton store and visits are now reaching at least once a week. Whoopssss! Also, their coats. Oh wow, their coats. If you haven't checked them out yet, do. 

5) Crunching in Autumn leaves wherever i go.

6) Parties. I've had two this week. A 22nd in town for my housemate and last night a 1920s inspired 21st. There is nothing better than a good house party! (My work/hangovers may be suffering but heyyy, there's still 17 days left to get those essays done so sure it'll be fine!)

7) Gossip girl. I've started from season 1 again. I don't think that it will ever get old and is the most perfect programme for chilly winter evenings.

8) Food. Yep, just generally! I haven't been feeling cooking this week but last night's supper was delish and I think got the whole cooking thing back on track. Roll on the market on Tuesday with its gorgeously colourful fruit and veg.

9) Cinema times with the boy. We saw Captain Phillips, with lots of popcorn, and sweeties. Its good, really good. Check it out!

10) And lastly, and perhaps most importantly, my new duvet. Its incredible. In fact, I'm not even sure if there are any words to describe it. Lets just say everyones been in my bed this week, (and there was even a little cheeky bit of Madagascar watching under the covers at one point!) mmmhhhh!