Food Glorious Food

This weekend I thought I'd try my hand at baking. Its not something I get chance to do often, but theres something very satisfying about baking something yourself from scratch. This week on the menu were chocolate chip cookies and brownies, and they were absolutely delicious! I used recipes from this book but if you are interested I can post the recipes for each up in a separate post? Let me know! xx

River Island Postcards from the Past - Hustle Trend

When I was asked if I wanted to review an item from the Hustle Collection I immediately chose these gorgeous Gold Peep Toe Wedges. These beauts will be perfect for the christmas season paired with a party frock, and although they have a 15cm heel height, they are actually really comfortable thanks to the huge platform! They are also more gold in reality than in these photos but the lighting in my house isn't so great now the winter season is upon us (boo!)

River Island have also just launched a Postcard from the past competition over on there Facebook page where you can win 9 items from their Hustle trend. All you have to do is head over to their Facebook page and find the 9 items from the hustle collection hidden in the postcard. Simples! You can enter here > http://apps.facebook.com/postcardsfromthepast/

New hair and nails at Trevor Sorbie Manchester

So a few weeks ago me, Gem and Nic were treated to complimentary blow drys at Trevor Sorbie in Manchester. As if that wasn't fab enough, the salon then said we could go back to have our hair and nails done!  Now you all know how precious I am with my hair, 2 cuts in 2 and a half years and no dying whatsoever has resulted in me finally getting my natural hair colour and my long locks back. I knew that I was in need of a trim though and needed my ombre redoing so I promptly booked my appointment for just that. I honestly can not tell you how happy I am with the results, the amazing colourist Lily worked wonders with the balayage technique to create the most gorgeous creamy blonde throughout the ends of my hair, and even better she didn't have to use any bleach to achieve the gorgeous blonde colour because I now have all my own natural hair colour! Stylist May was true to her word and literally took the tiniest of tiny trims off the length of my hair just as I asked.

*Warning Picture Heavy*

I then had my nails done by the hilarious Jamie. I had a gel manicure (think Gelish and Shellac) using Artistic Colour Gloss. I went for the most gorgeous glittery red that looks just like Dorothy's slippers called "Hotness"

This is my first ever gel manicure and I have had SO many compliments on my nails, I will definitely be having this done again when they need redoing. Apparently it lasts between 2-3 weeks and my nails already feel stronger. If you are thinking about having a gel manicure I would definitely recommend it.

Overall I had a wonderful experience, which for someone who is terrified of the hairdressers is quite a result. The salon staff were lovely and friendly, Lily, May and Jamie were fab, and the salon itself its gorgeous. I even saw Trevor Sorbie himself around the salon when I went for my consultation. When it comes to getting my hair trimmed again (in about 6 months lol) I will most definitely be heading back. Massive thanks are in order to Trevor Sorbie Manchester for my lovely hair and nails and restoring my faith in hair salons!

And what it all comes down to, is that everything's gonna be fine fine fine

Quick outfit post showing you what I wore today. Major love to Arlene for her blogpost alerting us to the fact that this gorgeous faux fur trim cardigan was reduced by 50% from £50 to £25 in Topshop. I hotfooted it straight to Toppers after I read her post and bagged myself one. Its so lovely on, and really toasty and warm. A real winner :) I had my hair and nails done today, more about that though tomorrow, I'm super sleepy xx

Details.
Knitted Faux Fur Trim Cardigan - Topshop (Still lots of sizes left online too)
Leopard Print Blouse - New Look
Shorts - River Island (loving these, such a nice fit)
Shoes - River Island

Bring me a higher love

Sid being as adorable as ever.

I absolutely can not get enough of this cover of Bring me a higher love. Press Play.

1. Went to the Bradford on Sunday for a wander around at the Christmas lights switch on. We heard that there were all sorts of ice sculptures there which is the main reason we went down. By the time we got there they had all melted lol.

2. I finally had my first Physiotherapy appointment yesterday for my back and knee injuries sustained whilst running. Here's hoping in a couple of months I'll be fighting fit again.

3.  I'm going to get my hair and nails done tomorrow at Trevor Sorbie in Manchester and I can't wait! I'm having my ombre redone and having the blonde taken up a bit higher now my hair is longer, and maybe having a little trim too. I'm also having my nails done which will be lovely! I'll upload a full post and lots of photos about it this week.

4. I finally finished the Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood. My friend lent it me and I've been reading it on an off for a while, but this week I finally finished it off. Its a brilliant dystopian/totalitarian novel so if you're into that sort of thing I'd really recommend it. I'm now reading A little history of Philosophy and Rivers of London, which I already know I am going to love after the first chapter. Last but not least I've ordered The Hunger Games Trilogy after seeing a trailer for the film at the cinema, I've heard lots of good things on Twitter so I'll be getting stuck into them next. If you're on Goodreads.com add me on there my username is kelanjo :) www.goodreads.com/kelanjo

5. Lovely website > http://photoblogbypetra.blogg.se/ 

Feta and Mint Filo Pastry Parcels

So yesterday I decided to have a go at making some Feta & Mint Filo Parcels after having them at a Tapas restaurant a few months ago. Let me tell you they were absolutely divine and relatively easy to make. Would highly recommend if you fancy trying something new. I served them with a simple mixed leave salad with balsamic dressing. So good. I found the recipe here. Next up I'm trying something with Wensleydale or Lancashire Cheese. Enjoy!

For the wrapping:

225g/½lb filo pastry

60g/2 oz butter OR 3 tbsp oil, OR half of each *I used butter*

For the filling:

300g spinach *I only used 150g of baby spinach*

4 spring onions chopped

125g/4oz cottage cheese

125g/4oz Wensleydale or feta cheese

few chopped mint leaves

black pepper *I used white pepper as that's what I prefer*

Method/Steps

1. Wash the spinach well and steam briefly
2. Crumble or grate the Wensleydale/feta into a bowl containing the spring onions and cottage cheese.
3. Squeeze the excess liquid out of the spinach and chop it up.
4. Add it to the cheese mixture, add the herbs and pepper and  mix to a paste. Season to taste.

To wrap the pastries:

1. Melt the butter. Put the oil and/or melted fat into a small bowl with a pastry brush.
2. Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into strips about 3" X 10" and cover with clingfilm.
3. Lightly grease a baking tray. Turn oven to 180°C, 375°F, Gas 5.
4. Take one strip of filo and brush it with melted fat. Put a small teaspoon of filling at one end and roll up, or fold over into a triangle shape.
5. Put the pastries on baking sheet, brush tops lightly with melted butter/oil. Bake in pre-heated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Holidays are Coming

Can't believe I actually saw a real Coca Cola Christmas Truck in Morrisons Car Park of all places! Just thought I'd share this and a couple of outfit photos before I head out to see Breaking Dawn at the Cinema WOOHOO! *slightly overexcited* More tomorrow xx

Outfit Details.
Swallow Print Top: AX Paris
Jeans: Zara
Cardigan: Sainsburys TU
Furry Bag: Topshop