The Boys Are Back in Town

1. Topshop moto lacey jean- £53

2. A&F distressed jean- £59

3. Current/Elliott pink cropped- £125

4. J Brand aiden jean- £130

5. River Island distressed - £45

6. Current/Elliott classic boyfriend- £140

7. Mango- £33

 

 

 

Yes, you heard correctly, the rumours are true, the boys are officially back in town as the boyfriend jean makes a come back for the Spring/Summer season. And they're set to be huge. 

 

That's right girls, kiss goodbye to squeeeeeezing into your skinnies and look ahead to throwing on a loose, comfy and potentially ripped-to- shreds alternative. Ahhhhh I can feel the relief already! Jeans are of course a staple. So this means that it's completely justified to give our wardrobes a little spring clean by investing in a (few) pair(s) of must-have boyfriend jeans, yes? oh good, that's what I thought...

 

However, I have to admit that as much as I love jeans, jean shopping is my absolute least favourite. There are so many different brands all with a different fit, feel and COST and to be honest  it's always tricky to know where to start. SO, in an attempt to help you fellow jean lovers out I have wittled down some of the best boyfriend beauties that are currently in stores- some are a little pricier than others, but all are perfect as a little jean-update to welcome in the new season. Wear cuffed with a pair of killer heels, neon tee and blazer and BOOM! there you have an updated spring look!








 

Ooooooooh for Ombre!

With all this dreary, cold and well, just generally horrid weather we've been having of late we can hardly be blamed for wishing the spring season to hurry a little quicker. I mean all this slush and ice is just snow good- is it? Sorry... couldn't help myself! But snowy puns aside, the weather hasn't been all that inspiring recently and well quite frankly, I don't think I'm the only one to admit that like the climate, I've been feeling a little dull and dismal and I'm beginning to feel like I need to inject a little colour back into my life.

Usually in this sort of situation I would dig out a pretty coloured, summery top, pop on my shades and off I would go. However, all I really want to do is hibernate beneath my thickest woollen jumper and curl myself up under a blanket. So, what better way is there to put two fingers up to the weather and inject some brightness into our wardrobes than through our nails. Boys, you might want to sit this one out.

I am a huuuuuges lover of nail art as most of you will probably already know and I love nothing better than having a little experiement now and again. In order to brighten things up a bit I decided to finally have a go at the ombre nail trend. It's one of the only nail art trends that I haven't tried so it was only natural to at least have a go and I think it went fairly well.

Recently I've been wearing lots of red, dark purple and raspberry pinks so this week I opted for a bright and bold pink to blend into my baby pink base.

I applied a coat of Nails inc 'Air Street' as a base, it's brilliant if you have really dry brittle nails that are prone to breaking or peeling (like mine) and I fully reccommend it-it's definitely the best I've ever used. I quite often wear it by itself without a colour on top to try and help my nails and I have definitely noticed a difference. Apply one coat a day over three consecutive days then remove and reapply like this for as long as you can and I guarantee you will start to see your nails strengthening. The baby Pink shade is 'Tendresse' by Chanel and as you can probably see, I certainly got my moneys worth as it's not far from finished! I used this as my primary colour- giving my nails two coats before applying the fading colour pon my tips. In this case I used 'striking' by Jessica.

Once these coats have dried, I then used a makeup sponge to fade the colours into each other. I found that the best way to do it is to paint some of the lighter colour on the sponge and above or below it paint on some the darker colour. A little goes a long way so you don't need to go crazy. Line the colours on the sponge up with your nail so the lighter colour on the sponge is above the light colour on your nail and the same with the dark colour. The next bit is a bit messy and wee bit tricky- you need quite a light hand, but then start to lighty dab the sponge onto your nail with the darker colour at the tip and gradually move the sponge up and down your nail. It doesn't take much to blend- as the colours tend to blend together quite naturally themselves.

This is the end result- finished of course with a couple of clear topcoats from none other than Barry M. There is definitely a knack to it, not quite sure I have it sussed- so there will be many more attempts to come!

BBC Radio 1: Feet Up Friday!!!!!

It's official. It's actually happened. My dream has come true (well part of it at least). I've been to RADIO 1!!! I repeat, I'VE BEEN TO RADIO 1!!!!! And in case you can't tell, I still can't believe it.

Anyone who knows me will be well aware of my ambitions to work at Radio 1 and my admiration especially for Greg James and his show so when an opportunity arose to be part of the show I jumped at the chance to apply! As an MA Radio Production student for me, this wasn't just a chance to have 5 minutes of fame on the radio, but a chance to see the studios, meet the team, ask loads of questions and gain as much knowledge of the station as I could during the time I was there- something that I wasn't going to get a chance to do any other time.

So, myself and my close friend Steph applied to take part in Feet Up Friday, a weekly feature on the show where two teams are invited to compete with each other for audience votes in order to win a half an hour slot on the show to play a selection of our own songs. We applied before Christmas and being unsuccessful we were more than ready to apply again in the new year and low and behold we were actually successful this time! I got the call to say we had been selected and just when I thought we had got it, I was told I may have to wait for an hour to find out if we were definitely going to be on the show and after an excruciatingly nervewracking 40 minute wait I got the call back! WE WERE GOING TO RADIO 1!!! As if that wasn't good enough, we were about to be the first Feet Up Friday team to see the new studios at New Broadcasting House. Needless to say it was INSANE!

Excited as ever we travelled to London, navigated our way through the tubes and at 3pm it was time to make our way to BBC Headquaters and Radio 1 reception and I tell you for one, you can't bloody miss it! Our day had barely even begun and no word of a lie, I stepped in the door of Radio 1 and who came strolling towards me....none other than, Scott Mills!! From that moment, I knew it was going to be a day that I would never forget!

We were collected from reception and taken up to the studios through the radio 1 corridor which was filled with huge photo canvases from BBC Radio 1's Hackney Weekend and where pictures were absent, the walls had been signed by guests who had popped in. Pretty cool to say the least. We were taken to the green room where we sat to fill out some forms and generally take half and hour to take in what was happening. We spent the majority of our time in the studio with Greg and when we weren't in there we were relaxing in the live lounge which is right next to his studio with a massive window so we didn't miss a thing! During the day we got to meet several producers all working on different shows, all of whom had found a different way into the industry and a different route to Radio 1 giving me plenty of motivation to keep going with my ambitions to one day work there! As if that wasn't enough, 1Xtra presenter Sarah-Jayne Crawford popped out during her show to say Hi, Becci from Scott Mill's show gave us a wave, Gemma Cairney ran past, Charlie sloth strolled in and Matt Edmonson was chillin' on his laptop. So obviously just a standard day at the office!

Anyway, I'll stop the name dropping and cut to the chase and show some of the photos...

Greg and Headmistress Laura in the Stoooooodio

Had to be done. Greg is obviously impressed...

Doing his thaaaang

My brownies bring Greg James to the yard! (Sorry Greg)

New Broadcasting House

Us with Greg!

Our day at Radio 1 was simply amazing, can't quite believe I was actually IN the studios! I learnt so much about how everything works and who does what and when to the extent where I can imagine where Greg and his team are standing, what they're doing and the layout of the studio when I'm listening.

Now I've been there myself, got a feel for the building and met some of the people working there I am now beyond determined than ever (and I was pretty determined before) to make sure that one day I will be walking back through those Radio 1 sliding doors not as a guest or a competition winner, but as an employee.

Radio 1....I'm coming for you!

Homemade Mince Pies

For me Christmas is the perfect opportunity to do some seasonal baking and this year that is exactly what I did! Mince Pies are my ultimate Christmas snack and so I decided to make my own mincemeat and pastry and having only made my own pastry a couple of times before I decided to just go for it and well, hope for the best! 

For the Mincemeat
I made my own mincemeat and clever old me has left the recipe at home in Northampton... However, you can buy some really good pre-made mincemeat in most supermarkets which makes the job a lot easier!

For the Pastry 

• 350g Plain Flour
• 75g Lard
• 75g Butter

 Method

1. Make up or mincemeat or make sure your pre-bought packet is at the ready.
2. Make up the pastry by sifting the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and rubbing the fats into it until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. 
3. Then add just enough cold water to mix to a dough that leaves the bowl clean. Leave the pastry to rest in a polythene bag in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
4. Then roll half of it out as thinly as possible and cut it into two dozen 3 inch (7.5 cm) rounds, gathering up the scraps and re-rolling. Then do the same with the other half of the pastry, this time using the 2½ inch (6 cm) cutter.
5. Now grease the patty tins lightly and line them with the larger rounds. 
6. Fill these with mincemeat to the level of the edges of the pastry. 
7. Dampen the edges of the smaller rounds of pastry with water and press them lightly into position to form lids, sealing the edges. 
8. Brush each one with milk and make three snips in the tops with a pair of scissors. 
9. Bake near the top of the oven for 25-30 minutes until light golden brown. Cool on a wire tray and sprinkle with icing sugar. When cool, store in an airtight container. 

Below is a little guide as to how everything turned out- I always find it really helpful to have images to go by when I'm baking so thought it may be helpful.

Cutting the rounds

TIP: Don't fill the cases too full or the mincemeat will seep out all over the place!

The finished Result!

(Slighty Pink) Red Velvet Cake

Once I returned home from university for the holidays, as well as being more than ready for a well needed three weeks of relaxation I was also ready to get baking. First on my list was an American classic, red velvet cake. I first tried one a few months ago and once I had tasted it, I finally understood what all the fuss was about. Despite being warned how difficult they are to make, I was not going to rest until I had at least attempted it once- and I'm (kinda) glad I did as apart from being slightly pink, It went quite well.

I found this recipe to be much sweeter than the original cake I had tried and I later discovered that sometimes it works better to use a little bit of lemon juice in the icing to give it a little bit of zest and make it a little less sweet which I think it needs.

Fancy a go? Here's the recipe....

Red Velvet Cake


For the Cake:

• 60 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 150 g caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 10 g cocoa powder
• 20 ml red food colouring (preferably Dr. Oetker Red Food Colouring)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 120 ml buttermilk
• 150 g plain flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1½ teaspoons white wine vinegar

For the Icing:

• 300g icing sugar, sifted
• 50g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 125g cream cheese, cold

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3.
2. Put the butter and the sugar in a bowl and beat (using a wooden spoon although it says an electric whisk) until light and fluffy and well mixed. Turn the mixer up to high speed, slowly add the egg and beat until everything is well incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, red food colouring and vanilla extract to make a thick, dark paste. Add to the butter mixture and mix thoroughly until evenly combined and coloured (scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula).
4. Turn the mixer down to slow speed and slowly pour in half the buttermilk. Beat until well
   mixed, then add half the flour, and beat until everything is well incorporated. Repeat this process until all the buttermilk and flour have been added. Scrape down the side of the bowl again. 
5. Turn the mixer up to high speed and beat until you have a smooth, even mixture. Turn the mixer down to low speed and add the salt, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. Beat until well mixed, then turn up the speed again and beat for a couple more minutes.
6. Spoon the mixture into greased tins and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the center should come out clean. Leave the cake to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
7. Beat the icing sugar and butter together with an electric mixer on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed.
8. Add the cream cheese in one go and beat until it is completely incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed.
9. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, at least 5 minutes. Do not overbeat, as it can quickly become runny. When the cake is completely cold, spoon half the cream cheese frosting between the layers and the rest on top.
10. You may have tons of frosting left over but luckily frosting freezes particularly well so that is what I have done with mine for future cupcake baking.

December In Pictures

Trips to Corfe Castle in the winter time. My favourite yearly task of putting up the Christmas tree and decking the house with decorations and lights. Drinking hot chocolate and scoffing homemade mince pies. Dancing the night away with Annie Mac and my favourite girls. Starting the day with morning hacks in the winter sunshine. Humorous and festive beer bottles that can't help but bring a smile to your face.

Baking red velvet cake and coating it in the sweetest cream cheese icing. Keeping out of the rain in my trusty barbour jacket. Festive nail art to welcome in the season. The pretty lights of Oxford Street. Winchester Christmas Market and its unique stalls in an idyllic setting. Cheeky early Christmas presents despite the warnings on the tag! Snuggling up with a cup of tea in my best new mug and the best Christmas film. This is what Christmas is all about.