The Most Perfect Italian Pesto and Pumps

The majority of the time, when it comes to cooking I am, as my friends say a 'precision cooker.' That means that I measure, I weigh, I certainly do not estimate.

This is probably a transferal from my super-organized, pain-in-the-ass, have to be on time and everything looking perfect life. Yep that's right, I'm an organised super-freak and dare I say it, am slightly proud of it. It has always served me well. I am certainly never late, I plan everything down to the last detail and in my years I have not once missed so much as a train, plane or bus.

But when it comes to some foods I just throw this all out the window and throw caution to the wind. My Mum is always telling me to 'take a few more risks', 'go on, have a risky, naughty day' she says.

Now I haven't quite gotten that far yet. She advises that one day I leave the house slightly later in the morning, or perhaps one day, pull a fake sickie. But I can proudly say that when it comes to making pesto, I pull it all out of the bag. (Small steps people!)

With some foods, measuring and weighing is just not needed, sometimes it is just better to go with your gut, no not the rumblings, but rather what it is telling you. Too salty? Too spicy? Then fix it in a matter of seconds.

When it comes to my pesto, this is the mantra I like to stick to and so I am passing it over to you. Give it a go.

You simply require a basil plant, olive oil, garlic, and pine nuts. Throw it in a food processor how you see fit and give it a taste. It's pretty liberating. Enjoy.

Meanwhile, I have been searching for the perfect ballet pump for absolute yonks. I wasn't looking to spend a fortune because I like a few colours but wanted them to be, well, just right you know? And I finally found them:

Topshop

Perfect for running around in. 

The Easiest Lemon Chicken in the Book

Ingredients:

1 whole free-range chicken

2 lemons halved

Handful of fresh sage, parsley, tarragon

2 whole garlic cloves peeled

Olive oil

How to go about it:

1. Cut up the whole chicken into sections. Place in oven tray.

2. Drizzle over olive oil - don't go easy.

3. Put all of the herbs in and mix around.

4. Place in the lemons, halved.

5. Pop in the garlic cloves.

6. Swirl it around.

7. Pop in oven at 220, for around 50 minutes or until ready.

So that's it folks, it really is that easy and according to my meat-eating family it tastes utterly gorgeous, much like a spit-roast.

In other news, aren't you loving the sun? I went out today in jeans and just a floaty long top. That's right, not a coat, or scarf in sight. I felt completely liberated after our long, hard winter.

Enjoy your chicken.

Things I do When the Sun Comes Out...

Swing Like Your Mama Did in the 60's

THE 60'S ARE MAKING A COMEBACK...

Did you hear? Well it's all I seemed to hear over the past fashion weeks, it was everywhere, and to be completely honest, I could not be happier. Reinvent the best of the 60's and make it look rockin' again in 2012.

Just the other day my Nan was sorting through her old clothes collection (from a dusty loft) and discovered a fabulous belt from the past. I fell in love and it quickly took up residence in my wardrobe. That's the best think about this resurfacing of fashion, recycle, recycle, recycle.

 

If you are prone to preferring fresh, clean clothes not from your Mama's old loft, then here are a selection on offer right now - and it's set to get even bigger next year. I'm tallking 60's swing dresses, coats and oh-so-beautiful bold colours (and eye makeup!)

ASOS '60s Mac With Contrast Trim £75.00

ASOS Sixties Skater With Belt Dress £40.00

ASOS '60s Bow Pocket Coat £95.00 Now: £41.00

Roll Up, Roll Up ... It's Cupcake Time!

Just the other day I was invited to one of my good friend's hen do's. I have always been one of those have-to-turn-up-with-something-in-my-hand kind of people, and this, was no exception.

So I searched my little brain for something to arrive with. I already had a lovely gift for the wedding so that just wouldn't do and then I suddenly had a light-bulb kind of moment. What on earth could be better than beautiful cupcakes with buttercream icing and love-hearts to match? A la, perfect.

So I got cracking on the unbelievably easy to make cupcakes and this is the finished result. They are very sweet, but oh so good. And they're only teeny tiny, so, we'll forget about all the sugar for now!

My secret is to never allow the buttercream icing to go too hard (by leaving it in the fridge) and also, always alow the cakes to completely cool before icing them. A touch of edible glitter always looks fabulous and decorate appropriately.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 250g unsalted butter, softened
• 250g caster sugar
• 250g self-raising flour
• 4 medium eggs (free range, ofcourse)
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 2 x 12-hole muffin tins, lined with paper cases

Recipe:

1. Set the oven to 190°C.
2. Put the butter into a bowl and beat it until softened. Add the flour, sugar, eggs and milk and whisk until smooth.
3. Divide the mixture between all the paper cases.
4. Place in oven for 15 minutes, then turn and bake for a further 4-7 minutes, until light golden.
5. Remove the tins from the oven. Leave the cupcakes to cool in the tins for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool.

Butter Icing:

• 140g butter softened
• 280g icing sugar
• Chosen colour of food colouring (just a few drops)
• 1 tbsp of milk

Recipe:

1. Beat the butter in a large bowl until soft. Add half of the icing sugar and beat until smooth.
2. Add the rest of the icing sugar and just one tablespoon of the milk and beat the mixture until beautifully soft and creamy.
3. Seperate into seperate bowl if you want multiple colours, stir in the food colouring until well combined.
4. Place into piping bags and pipe away!

It's Pancake Day!

So the day has arrived once again. How do you like yours? Savoury? Sweet?

I think you can probably see from my pic that I live in an all-sweet household. Bring on the sugar, chocolate sauce and syrup.

Enjoy!

When did it become Spring?

Just a few days ago I stepped out of my house and Spring practically slapped me in the face. In a nice way ofcourse, not in the way that winter does. I strained my eyes for fear of cataract after what seems like the longest winter ever.

The sun was shining and still is, and I'm not just talking little, pokes-through-the-cloud-kind-of-sun but full-on, hello it's Spring time. It was completely lovely and as I sit here writing this, the sun is just taking his little hat off.

I know, I know it's not quite Florida weather yet (and probably never will be) but how damn good does it feel to see a few rays through those lurking grey clouds that just won't get the message when I scream do one early in the morning. In reaction to this short spout of crispy sunny weather we have been having, I decided to do something quite rare (liar) and head to the shops. Because of my recent Mulberry purchase I didn't buy anything quite so wacky, but I did come with something I am thoroughly pleased with.

John Frieda's 3 Day Straight is just a little bit of heaven. You apply it to wet/towel dried hair, blow dry straight, straighten and it claims to keep your hair in this same condition until you next wash it (so long as this is within 3 days).

My hair feels positively straight and sleek, obviously I have yet to test the sleeping test, but I'll keep you informed.

Enjoy the cold sunshine.

Time to Accessorize

Did everybody see my search for the perfect wedding dress last week? Well if not, get yourself over and have a little peek!

Well, on the same note, I thought I'd share with you my little (well, not really so little) headband which just seems to put the outfit together perfectly:

Isn't it completely brilliant? The decision must now be made in terms of how best to wear my hair with the headband - didn't quite think that one through when I was impulsively buying the headband in the beautiful Instant Vintage in Bath, did I?  I am currrently going with the loosely put up, few strands around the face kind-of-thing, as always, I'll let you know how that one pans out!

The shoes are also decided. Oh the excitement of getting dressed up and throwing confetti! (Natural confetti only, naturally!)

In other news, it's Sunday night which = roast dinner time!

Always, always remember, never just simply pull your chicken out the wrapper and throw it in the oven. No, no, no. Instead, follow these perfect roasting tips:

1. Pile a lot of your veg into your chicken. Sod peeling, slicing, dicing, just simply chop roughly and stuff.
2. Drizzle chicken with oil, season and drizzle a little lemon. Place this same lemon up the chicken.
3. Place the remainder of the veg into your roasting tin and place the chicken on top.
4. Cook (depending on size) until ready, baste the chicken half way through and cook the remaining potatoes as you see fit.
5. When cooked, cover and rest for 30 minutes.
6. P.S...Always eat free range!

Night night x

Chilli + Clutches

On my first food note, last night I created a blog-worthy chilli that I thought was worth sharing:

It was truly delicious (if I do say so myself). It is unbelivably fast and easy to make, and you just cannot go wrong. Just don't let it go dry!! Take my ultimate chilli tip and never ever use chilli poweder or flakes. No, no, no people, use fresh chilli's from your local supermarket or farmer's market vegetable aisle. You know what I say? The hotter, the better.

On another note, I have a wedding coming up soon, which means one thing, new outfit! I finally found the perfect dress for the occasion, from a beautiful shop in Bath called Instant Vintage. They stock vintage-inspired, eclectic clothes which fit and look fabulous on everybody. During sale time, the bargains are unbelievable and the best thing? You won't find every other sod wearing the same dress as you. Bonus in my eyes. So here it is:

This dress cost £48 and is completely beautiful, wouldnt you agree? Alongside it I bought a fabulous flower head-band because I still believe you should dress up to weddings. Dont you just wish people still wore fantastic hats to weddings? Well, I certainly do.

Anyway, if you are anywhere near the south-west pop along to Instant Vintage, you will be more than happy. So the search for a clutch has begun. I will be wearing black tights as I'm not quite ready for naked-leg season yet, along with black Chie Mihara shoes. So, a black clutch it will be. I never quite knew how difficult this would be to locate. Wish me luck, I'll let you know!

Night night.

Good day ... If I do say so myself



Just the other day I visited a little well-known place, Bicester Village in, well, Bicester, Oxfordshire. I was truly mesmerised by the shops, the pancakes, the bags and the designer clothes. The deals were hot and so were the designer pieces. I'm talking DVF, D&G, Vivienne Westwood, YSl and my true favourite until the end ... Mulberry.

Oh wait, is that me with the Mulberry Bayswater clutch? Guilty.

It is a well-known fact amongst my family that my sister is the shopaholic and I am the saver. Not to great extents, I mean I won't be purchasing an Audi any day soon, but I'm a tryer. So I shall officially blame this latest, impulsive purchase on my beloved sister. I first came across the bag in the morning, gave it a swish around the Mulberry shop, gazed lovingly into the mirror, put it down and walked our crying, (facts may be embellished.)

Went for a little coffee and choc mousse in Pret, continued to shop, went back to the car and changed my brogues because my new (and very expensive ones) were killing, and desperately tried to put it out of my mind.

I tried all the usuals:

'You don't need it.'

'It's too expensive.'

'It's just  a bag.'

But who am I kidding? It's not just  a bag ... It's a Mulberry bag which is now sitting very comfortably in my loverly wardrobe. My sister persuaded me that it's an 'investment piece' ... My Mum didn't agree, I did. But, my heart ruled my head and I am now a few pennies shorter, but a lot lot happier.

With my beloved bag purchased we popped into Patisserie Valerie on the way home to enjoy a little raspberry tart. Quite a good day all around I would say.

So from now on I shall be saving those pennies for my upcoming Gran Canaria holiday. What can I say? I live a hard life, but somebody has to do it.

Night night.