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

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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!