tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13301322257090401072024-03-14T10:29:34.739+00:00I should cocoBridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-47067673265973703122014-12-14T11:47:00.002+00:002014-12-14T11:50:36.545+00:00Christmas: For your Mum who always seems to have the right advice and makes the tastiest mince pies<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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- luxury PJs for cold winter nights and new sheepskin slippers to go with them</div>
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- a gorgeous log stand to go next to the new log fire she's always wanted</div>
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- high quality brushes for her chalk paint obsession</div>
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- a sweet calendar for her desk</div>
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- a statement necklace to wear on Christmas day</div>
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- new Yoga wear for her weekly session</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-57162060078772155222014-12-13T13:54:00.001+00:002014-12-13T14:02:10.752+00:00Christmas: For your sister who has the same daft sense of humour and taste in festive films<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/for_your_sister/set?.embedder=141298&.svc=blogger&id=143088965" target="_blank"><img alt="For your sister" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/bqbnyIxzeuoQ8WVmg1Og2Q/cid/143088965/id/zs4hms_C5BGjGTXFmu7EJQ/size/c600x460.jpg" height="460" title="For your sister" width="600" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">- A gorgeous cake stand and bell jar for displaying her cupcakes {for as long as they last}</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- Flowers delivered in the post to cheer her up</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- Glitter hair ties so when she's at work she still feels nice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- Simple gold jewellery for when she wants to mix it up</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- Leather gloves because we live in Scotland</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- an initial catch all tray and pretty earrings to drop in it</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- a blarf {blanket scarf} because who doesn't need a giant blanket that you can wear outside</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">- art for her house</span></div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-46464509921035634662014-10-15T09:42:00.003+01:002014-10-16T12:27:06.959+01:00Eat: Peal Barley and Chorizo Risotto<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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This is an easy, delicious and fairly budget friendly midweek supper. Delicious enough to serve up to friends and comforting enough to curl up with on the sofa in front of your favourite box set. The recipe uses pearl barley instead of your usual risotto rice and it gives the risotto a little bit more bite and a nuttier flavour too. Even better, at less than 60p a bag {from Morrisons at least!} it brings the cost of making a midweek risotto right down into my budget suppers corner. If that wasn't enough to make you give it a try, Pearl Barley is full of the good stuff. It contains plenty of fibre, potassium and other vitamins and it's low GI keeping you fuller for longer. Give it a try and you won't miss your usual risotto rice, I promise! Winner winner {risotto} dinner.<br />
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I used chorizo and spinach in this though personally, I think it would work just as well without the chorizo. For the recipe you're going to need:</div>
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<b>pearl barley</b> - a cup or so for each person</div>
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a tin of <b>chopped tomatoes</b></div>
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1 or 2 cups of <b>chicken or vegetable stock</b></div>
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Dice up your chorizo and then fry off in it's own oil. Make sure you keep an eye on this so it doesn't catch! Take it off the heat and pop to on side to add later. Add your garlic and pearl barley to the oil from the chorizo just as you would risotto rice and stir until well coated. Add your tomatoes and stock and give it a good stir. Then, bring the whole thing to the boil then turn down, pop a lid on and leave to simmer. This is where it is much easier than risotto: It'll take the same time to cook but you'll only need to check in occassionally to give it the odd stir. Another big tick for pearl barley - who wants to be chained to the stove midweek?</div>
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After about 30 minutes your pearl barley will still have a bit of chew to it but it will have softened up significantly. At this point stir in your spinach until it wilts and add your chorizo. Plate up into two or more big hearty bowls and settle in for a cozy night in front of the fire. Cozy, comforting, healthy food!</div>
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Bx</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-26182048811759912272014-10-12T17:24:00.000+01:002014-10-16T12:23:54.670+01:00Stockbridge Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend has been back to back glorious Autumn days that have reminded me why Autumn is maybe my favourite season. Enough chill in the air to pull on thick jumper but crisp and dry so need to brace yourself for the weather! The clear blue skies were just too tempting and it seemed the perfect day to visit the lovely Stockbridge market on the other side of town. </div>
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This little farmer's market is lovely and on down in Stockbridge every week. It's a bustling mix of hot food stands, vintage nicknacks, coffees, cheeses, butchers...you get the idea! It's one of my favourite ways to spend an hour or so on a Sunday.</div>
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This week they were participating in the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival too which meant we had plenty of options to choose from for lunch! 3 courses for £8 was just too tempting and we tucked in with gusto!<br />
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We both started off by with a mix of delicious pork and vegetarian dumplings from Harajuka kitchen - a restaurant just up the road in Bruntsfield. Finished off with coriander, chilli sauce and garlicky soy sauce, they were delicious. Absolutely worth a visit I think!</div>
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Scouring through the menu, our next choice had to be a pie from The Wee Pie shop. We've bought plenty of pies from them before though never tucked into one warm, straight from a paper bag. We're sat on the edge of the street at this point - doesn't get better than that!</div>
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We wandered back through the back streets of Stockbridge. You can't complain when parts of the city centre look like this. Edinburgh really is the most incredible city to live in or visit.<br />
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Back to the food, we had had enough of the great outdoors {and that Autumn chill!} so took our puddings to go. Apricot and custard tart washed down with a cheeky hot chocolate underneath a blanket on the sofa. Such a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.</div>
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The Edinburgh Restaurant Festival is running from the 9th - 23rd with 60 odd restaurants in the city centre participating with food and drink offers, including Restaurant Mark Greenaway. I'm hoping we have a chance to take advantage of the festival at least a couple of times before it finishes up!</div>
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Happy, happy Sunday!</div>
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Love B x</div>
Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-57361597244269395462014-10-10T21:09:00.002+01:002014-10-16T12:24:28.723+01:00Eat: Pesto baked cod<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post might be a little bit like teaching your granny to suck eggs. This recipe is that simple. That said, it is delicious and worth sharing. You're going to need:</div>
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<b>sweet potato</b></div>
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<b>kale</b></div>
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<b>tomatoes on the vine</b></div>
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<b>cod</b></div>
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<b>pesto</b></div>
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First, preheat your oven to around 180 then start to slice up your sweet potato. I like mine in thinnish wedge shapes but that's really because it is the quickest way to slice it up! The choice is yours. Spread them on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil and a good dose of salt. I like to dust mine with a good helping of smoked paprika too - tastes delicious! Then, once your oven is warm, pop them in. They're going to need about 30minutes.</div>
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Whilst your sweet potatoes are cooking, cut up some squares of tin foil - one for each of your pieces of cod. Cover the top of the cod with a generous splurge of pesto and then gather up the tinfoil into a little parcel. That's what you're going to cook your cod in. Pop them to the side. Pop your tomatoes, on the vine, in a roasting tin. Drizzle with oil and sea salt again.</div>
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When your sweet potatoes have 15minutes left, pop in your tomatoes.</div>
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When your sweet potatoes have 10 minutes left, pop in your cod parcels.</div>
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When there is about 5 minutes left, pop your kale. I'm lazy and just stick in on top of the sweet potato to save on washing up later.</div>
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There's only 5 minutes left and thank goodness because the smell is divine. Whisk it out of the oven and plate up and tuck in. It's an easy, healthy and delicious midweek supper that you could still whip out for friends. Perfect!</div>
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Happy weekend!</div>
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Bx</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-55668596315206518872014-10-05T11:28:00.000+01:002014-10-16T12:24:45.148+01:00Upholstery class<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Also known as making a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Earlier this year I went through a bit of a rough patch. Things weren't quite as I had imagined they would be, to say the least. One of the wisest snippets of advice I got was to focus on making myself happy and to do something I had always wanted to do but never found the time for. The indulgence of doing something solely for me, putting aside concerns that I should work later or worrying about someone else, was pretty novel. I think it's an easy trap to fall into thinking that doing things for yourself can just wait while you finish off a myriad of other jobs.<br />
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To cut a long story short I decided to do a traditional reupholstery course with the marvellous <a href="http://edinburghcontemporarycrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">Edinburgh Contemporary Crafts</a>. I can't sing their praises enough - Vicky, our instructor, was hands on and helpful at every step of the way. She provided tea and chocolate and the small class sizes meant that everyone got the help they needed throughout the whole process. She stayed late to help when necessary and squeezed in extra classes to make sure we all finished the process. An absolute gem.</div>
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I knew I wanted to make something beautiful and had found a gorgeous fabric in John Lewis and used chalk paint to paint the wood itself. The process took 10 weeks with a couple of hours a week for each session but hammering tacks, using an industrial staple gun and chiselling out any old bits of hardware was a bit like therapy. Watching something come together, that I had made with my own two hands, was an incredibly satisfying feeling and I joke that poor girls in my family are going to have to tolerate this chair being handed down through generations after the {literal} blood and sweat that went into the process. Want to see the finished product {and the hundred unfinished product stages in between?!}</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-60975570297067231842014-09-19T09:00:00.000+01:002014-10-16T12:25:28.675+01:00Eat: Chilli non Carne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a lovely and horribly easy recipe that fills the mid-September evening trifecta: comfort food {without the expanding waistline}, purse friendly {still 10 days from payday? Use whatever is in the fridge!} and utterly scrummy.</div>
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I used what I had bought in my weekly shop but you genuinely could use up those vegetables lingering at the bottom of the fridge. That slightly wrinkly pepper? Whack it in there! In mine, you'll find:</div>
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- <b>celery</b> {cheap as chips and good for adding some more nutrients/umph to your dinner - slow cooking gets rid of it's stringy texture too!}</div>
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<b>- garlic</b></div>
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<b>- peppers - red, yellow and orange</b></div>
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<b>- red onions x 3</b></div>
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<b>- sweet potato</b></div>
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<b>- kidney beans</b></div>
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<b>- haricot beans</b></div>
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<b>- 2 tins of chopped tomatoes</b></div>
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<b>- smoked paprika</b></div>
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<b>- cumin</b></div>
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<b>- chilli powder</b></div>
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<b>- creme fraiche</b></div>
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Chunk up your sweet potato and stick it in the oven for about 30 or 40 mins until cooked through. Leave skin on or take it off as is your preference. When your sweet potato is in the oven, fry your onion, celery and garlic in a little olive oil until softened and slightly browned. At this point, I like to add a little cumin too as I think it really adds to that lovely heat and flavour.</div>
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Pop in your peppers and beans. The beans in particular are good for bulking out your chilli - use whichever kind you fancy. Next, stir through a healthy dose of chilli and smoke paprika and suits your taste. I like to go heavy on the paprika because of the depth of flavour {I've watched too much Masterchef I fear}. Add your tomatoes and leave to bubble away for around 30 minutes.</div>
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When it's reduced down a bit, chuck in your sweet potato, stir through and serve with a good blob of creme fraiche and fresh coriander for one final hit of flavour. I had mine with wraps to make a faux burrito and it was divine - all of the comfort, none of the guilt. Much like the courgetti, a little substitution goes a long way!</div>
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Love B x</div>
Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-12743537479253374692014-09-17T07:20:00.000+01:002014-09-17T07:20:35.559+01:00Autumn update<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/autumn_update/set?.embedder=141298&.svc=blogger&id=134982720" target="_blank">autumn update</a> by <a href="http://bridget-s.polyvore.com/?.embedder=141298&.svc=blogger" target="_blank">bridget-s</a> featuring a <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/topshop_tops/shop?brand=Topshop&category_id=11" target="_blank">topshop top</a></small><br />
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The leaves are falling off trees, there is a distinct chill in the air and today, a rather ominous amount of mist. And I have to say...I love it. I love when Autumn rolls around. As much as I love sunshine and long days outdoors, there's something about the {romantic] notion of Autumn in my head. Cooler days, crunchy leaves and ever darkening nights. Cozying up by the fire, drinking red wine and layering up. Chunky knits, tights and boots. I'm <i>much</i> more at home dressing for Autumn and definitely have my eye on these items come payday. That coat and bag in particular are calling my name...</div>
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Love B x</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-49633684308987793972014-09-15T19:33:00.000+01:002014-10-16T12:25:49.988+01:00Life lessons as learnt through spiralizingI'm back. It's been a while. Let's not talk about it?<br />
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Now, life lessons. Stick with me on this one...<br />
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<u>1) What the heck is a spiralizer?! And what is courgetti?</u><br />
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Granted not the most earth shattering of life lessons but this little gadget - less than a tenner from Amazon - has opened my eyes to a whole host of possibilities for dinner! It's courgetti, my friends, and I couldn't believe I like it as much as I do.<br />
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<u>2) Exercise is important if you really like chocolate after dinner.</u><br />
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If you buy this little hand held guy, rather than his bigger, bruiser cousins - then your arm gets a damn good work out at the same time therefore <u>earning</u> that chocolate you plan on eating for pudding {and the courgette is surely better than pasta on the ol' diet front!}.<br />
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<u>3) Don't let your eyes be bigger than your belly.</u><br />
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The bigger the courgette, the better. Right? WRONG. Bigger is not necessarily better - especially when it doesn't fit in your spiralizer. What I did learn is straighter is better. {So many potential innuendoes in this post that I have just had to maturely walk away from...it's killing me}<br />
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<u>4) Sometimes things don't work out as you planned.</u><br />
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This....<br />
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will disappear into a tiny portion {which I forgot to photograph!}. Over plan, buy more than you think you'll need {6 courgettes or so for about 2 people's worth of noodles!}. Failing to plan, is planning to fail and all that.<br />
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<u>5) Be open to possibilities</u><br />
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"Can't be a decent substitute for a bowl of pasta" I thought. I was wrong. It absolutely does the job of that comforting bowl of pasta. And not just pasta -<br />
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<u>6) Looks aren't everything</u><br />
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Sometimes, these noodles aren't going to look too good but I promise, they're still going to taste good on the inside {I'm eating them for the 3rd time this week, in various guises}. To that end, I don't yet have any photographs of them in food. That's for another time.<br />
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<u>7) Be on time</u><br />
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Nobody likes being kept waiting all the time. It's especially true of courgettes. Leave 'em to cook too long and they're going to go mushy. You've been warned.<br />
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It's good to be back!<br />
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Love
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<br />Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-83011565260047690742014-02-13T10:50:00.001+00:002014-02-13T11:11:37.319+00:00The kitchen<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/kitchen/set?.embedder=141298&.svc=blogger&id=113309353" target="_blank">The kitchen</a> by <a href="http://bridget-s.polyvore.com/?.embedder=141298&.svc=blogger" target="_blank">bridget-s</a> on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/" target="_blank">Polyvore</a></small><br />
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So there were plenty of stored Kitchen pictures to choose from. Clearly I like open shelves, light colours, white subway tiles and natural wood but I also love the personality that comes from little colourful details - like the vintage sign, the patterned tray and the fresh herbs. I like that these kitchens all felt clean and airy without being sterile. I spend a lot of time in our kitchen so I want it to be a place I enjoy and all of the pictures I had pinned all seemed home-y without being twee.<br />
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-79554626249887630942014-02-09T11:57:00.001+00:002014-02-09T12:03:52.756+00:00Bathroom<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/bathroom/set?.embedder=141298&.svc=blogger&id=112927823" target="_blank">Bathroom</a></small><br />
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We've lived in our flat for the past 3 - nearly 4 years - and we're itching to buy our own place. We've been lucky in that our landlord has been supportive of us redecorating our flat but it's still not quite the same. For me, this means I'm spending hours pouring over properties {that we aren't in a position to buy yet}. Slightly less tortuous, and probably more productive, is the time spent on pinterest working out what I would and wouldn't like in our home. I thought I'd share some of the clear ideas that have come through for different rooms.<br />
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With bathrooms, it's all about the roll top bath {I would kill for a proper working bath right now!}. Greys and whites give a calm, spa-like feel, whilst pops of colour from the green would still make a big impact. Wire baskets for storage and some feminine touches in the vintage mirror and the gold accents would finish it off perfectly. Hopefully the wire accents and the masculine colours from the floor and walls would stop it from being overly feminine!<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-69994220840452143012014-01-19T18:35:00.001+00:002014-10-16T12:27:25.310+01:00Moments that mattered...<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been a LONG time since I last wrote. Since way back in July, there have been plenty moments where I considered starting again having genuinely missed writing. There were also plenty or moments where I dismissed it - too much to do, not enough to write about, a total writer's block on where to start. I wasn't sure I had enough to add to the conversation or anything to say that anyone would want to read but, as always happens with a new year, I've thought about the things I do {or don't do enough of} that make me happy and this little corner of the internet - full of waffle - is one of them.</div>
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Reading one of my <a href="http://www.misslucyloves.com/">favourite</a> blogs, this little <a href="http://www.misslucyloves.com/2014/01/win-ipad-mini-moments-that-mattered.html">competition</a> seemed the ideal time to start again. So here it is, without further ado - some of the moments that mattered in 2013. Sit back, it's a big one and there are a LOT of photos.<br />
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We started off the year right, celebrating with some of our nearest and dearest. Cooking for 25 was potentially a tad ambitious!</div>
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In the Spring, there was a half marathon that showed what you can achieve when you put your mind to it! Bring on this year's...</div>
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There was a sister sister holiday too. Undoubtedly those days are up there as some of my favourite days of 2013. It's not often enough we get to spend an uninterrupted long weekend, just the two of us, so some quality time with my sister was just perfect. The added bonus of a visit from my cousins was just the icing on the proverbial cake.</div>
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Summer hit, and I graduated for the second time. This one resonated so much more than the first time around. I have met some of the most talented ladies and gents on this teaching course - dedicated, intelligent, caring and hilarious - all of whom I am grateful to have around in this next step down the line.</div>
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There was a little holiday in the sun too. Can't complain!</div>
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Autumn was quiet - I started my first year in the classroom and for all it is the most challenging, demanding thing I have ever done, I truly love it. Clearly I didn't have that much to take snaps of except these early morning views!</div>
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That said, we did celebrate the engagement of one of my oldest, dearest friends. I am thrilled for her and her lovely fiancee and already can't wait to be part of their big day.</div>
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Moving onto Winter - there was 5 years with this guy. Happy lady. Enough said.</div>
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A trip to the coast before Christmas is always one of my favourite weekends. Christmas ensembles, open fires, old man pubs and some of my nearest and dearest - what more could you want?</div>
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Finally we finished off the year as we had started: good friends, good food and good wine. Granted, there was a touch more snow in France....</div>
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Taking the time to look back on 2013 actually reminds you how far you go in a year. 2013 wasn't always straight forward or easy, but it was packed with moments worth remembering and it was full of laughter and love. I've loved looking back but I'm even more excited to move forward - 2014 is going to be a good un, I know it!</div>
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<br />Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-30823269852359531472013-07-08T16:46:00.001+01:002013-07-08T16:46:35.057+01:00Wise old owl...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Check out this sweet little nightlight that is currently standing guard over my bedside table. He's an adorable little ceramic character and a 'stand in' graduation gift from my Mum as the beautiful lamp my parents bought me hasn't arrived yet. I think he would make for a lovely gift - certainly he holds his own {in my mind} when compared with the rather more expensive ceramic night lights you can buy at the moment.<br />
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The best bit? He's 99p from B&M homes. I think I might have to run out to my nearest one and stock up on him for gifts....<br />
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xBridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-10226018889481761652013-07-01T12:30:00.002+01:002014-10-16T12:28:16.062+01:00Eat: Strawberry Pavlova<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm pretty convinced I could live off strawberries through the summer months. All of a sudden, they're available in abundance so we've been devouring them at an absurd rate {a box a day...no jokes}. I'm normally perfectly happy to just work my way through a punnet as is - no need for cream, chocolate or any other additions - but a casual Sunday lunch with friends seemed like an opportunity to jazz them up a bit.</div>
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A giant pavlova instantly sprang to mind with it's lashings of double cream, crispy meringue and heaps of strawberries. It is easily one of my favourite desserts and so I set about making a meringue for the first time in my life {ridiculous, no?}.</div>
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I followed <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/raspberry_pavlova_40704">this</a> recipe, omitting the vanilla essence as I'd already added plenty to my whipped cream. I also ignored the instructions for the fruit. Instead, I hulled and generously sliced the strawberries before sprinkling them with a good amount of caster sugar. Once the tupperware is all sealed up, give them a good shake and them just leave them to it, shaking occasionally just to keep mixing everything together. They will become slightly sweetened and the juice and sugar form just enough 'drizzle' to add to the colour of your pavlova topping.</div>
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My mum - a seasoned meringue maker - hammered home the importance of leaving the meringue in the oven until it {the oven} was cool. This is to help it crisp up and dry out. I have to say, making my base I was so worried about it starting to colour that I turned the oven off too soon. Whilst the outside of my meringue was lovely and crisp, inside was practically a marshmallow. Perfectly to my taste, but perhaps not everyone's cup of tea so take note! That said, the recipe was actually very straightforward and easy to follow. Always a bonus, especially when the finished product is so delightfully over the top!</div>
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The variations are endless too - alongside this, a contender for my favourite has to be caramelised pecans and caramel sauce. YUM.</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-65384186504278386112013-07-01T12:29:00.001+01:002013-07-08T11:31:30.375+01:00Birthday cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5pPfJzl02-RK6iTM6OBMOb1XBlwR0qwu6IS6QazKWgFOaDHVO4mZTH_ONP8tKam2gCerxyc_KKsa14PQId3yETI3lZMg3btjjUit9ak9JDDv8EuaEHLmAjln4GVHIIafvBXzAWaFnEo/s640/blogger-image-720157549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5pPfJzl02-RK6iTM6OBMOb1XBlwR0qwu6IS6QazKWgFOaDHVO4mZTH_ONP8tKam2gCerxyc_KKsa14PQId3yETI3lZMg3btjjUit9ak9JDDv8EuaEHLmAjln4GVHIIafvBXzAWaFnEo/s640/blogger-image-720157549.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I just had to share this beaut of a birthday cake that my sister made for my little cousins. What child wouldn't love a huge chocolate cake, covered in smarties and kitkats? Heck, what adult wouldn't? The bunting was put together in my kitchen over a cup of tea and a natter with Mum just using things I had lying around the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Super simple really, but so effective!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love B x</div>Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-14560106385835056792013-06-26T18:50:00.003+01:002014-10-15T09:44:51.111+01:00Eat: Banana Pancakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0MtZw76-19hLjxr6EMTas1X2GrwDqiBXu-viRCNXYCTveDmxVTDqMt-rAWgHB9j3jtt6rKsz6m8hJnCoC-EU5TYVN6oT0ieVQ5y1wHIO5tJE9PebCNYfNXh747ud8RVF1INTV9PDosk/s640/blogger-image--348051373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0MtZw76-19hLjxr6EMTas1X2GrwDqiBXu-viRCNXYCTveDmxVTDqMt-rAWgHB9j3jtt6rKsz6m8hJnCoC-EU5TYVN6oT0ieVQ5y1wHIO5tJE9PebCNYfNXh747ud8RVF1INTV9PDosk/s640/blogger-image--348051373.jpg" /></a></div>
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With both a holiday and my graduation coming up, my mind is rather vainly on my waistline. If the thoughts of graduation photos weren't acting to spur on me along on the diet front, the idea of slipping into a bikini sure is.</div>
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The Aries in me wants to follow in the TOWIE cast's footsteps and declare 'no carbs before Marbs' but what that really means is 'no carbs until Friday night when I convince myself that weekend calories don't count'. Oh well! Instead, I'm trying to make healthier choices as much of the time as possible - the house is packed up with fruit and veg, there are tins of soup in the cupboard and more lean protein in the fridge than you can shake a stick at yet there is one bone of contention. Snacks. S is a mean snacker - whether it's hummus and toast or biscuits - and whilst he seems to never gain a pound, I can't say I've been so lucky. Yet snacking - and particularly, pudding - continues to call my name, especially when we're curled up on the sofa together and S is snacking away.</div>
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At this point, you are possibly wondering what on earth a pre-holiday/graduation 'diet' has to do with a giant stack of pancakes. Prepare to be pleased my friends.</div>
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Banana pancakes - one of my favourites. Yet these consist of only 2 ingredients - <b>eggs</b> and <b>bananas</b>. There's no flour, no added sugar, nothing. I had googled them earlier today, certain that I had read something about diet-friendly pancakes and <a href="http://theskinnyconfidential.com/2012/09/25/ummm-seriously-dying-ingredient-pancakes-flourless-full-protein/">this</a> is the website that came up. Count.me.in. I mashed up 2 bananas, beat together 3 eggs and gave the two a good whisk and voila. Now, they maybe could've done with a dash of cinnamon {which I didn't have in the house} but when plated up with strawberries and the tiniest drizzle of honey they are divine. Save to say, I devoured this 'example' pancake seconds after I took the photo.</div>
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I think S may have a fight on his hands to prise any away from my diet driven hands.</div>
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<br />Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-55193911650983304482013-06-24T17:45:00.000+01:002013-06-24T17:45:29.882+01:00Summer days<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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Ooo, it's been a little bit of a break from blogging - happened a lot this year! Guess that's what happens when you're busy busy! Anyway, looking forwards, we have finally booked our summer holiday and I could not be more excited to get away for a week in the sunshine. These are a few bits and pieces on my wishlist as my summer wardrobe is pretty non-existant {I never feel it's justifiable given the 5 days of sunshine we get in Scotland...}. We'll only have hand luggage so I'll be trying to keep everything interchangeable and well matched to make dressing up or down nice and simple! That said, there is always room for a killer red dress. Plus, how cute are these pjs? No harm in trying to look nice when we sit out on the balcony for breakfast in the morning! The bikini too - probably slightly out of my budget but you can't go wrong with a simple black bikini.</div>
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Oh I am so ridiculously excited!</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-67344902358051092732013-04-03T10:51:00.002+01:002013-04-03T10:51:33.831+01:00H&M home...<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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Well played H&M Home. There are at least half a dozen goodies on the website that I would very much like to get my hands on. Those fish plates, in particular, are fab. I love the shower curtain too but is that a step too far when you already own two budgies {literally}. I don't want to step over into crazy bird lady territory. Given that it is all reasonably priced, much akin to their clothing range, I could certainly see me picking up a few bits and pieces. Polka dot grey table cloth anyone?</div>
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The jar, I have to point out, isn't from H&M. Instead it's from Matalan's really quite good home range. I could help but notice its distinct similarity to the Anthropologie numbers. That said, I think it's bigger and it is certainly cheaper. Granted, the chalkboard isn't quite as fancily shaped but it is much of a muchness. Think a little visit to Matalan might be in my near future...Same goes for paying for that basket of H&M home goodies that I've got up.</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-29842000392644339092013-03-25T16:36:00.001+00:002014-10-16T12:29:28.308+01:00Make: Procrastination OrganisationRight now I'd like to be doing anything other than the mountain of reading that is lurking far too close for comfort. I've tidied and washed and put off for pretty much as long so I'm really just eeking it out now - I'm really have to start. So I did some crafty stuff instead. And then blogged about it.<br />
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In an attempt to procrastinate further, and feeling the need to be just a little bit crafty, I knocked up these books as a gift to myself, my mum and my sister.<br />
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<a href="http://www.campusgifts.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/328x398/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/w/i/wild-and-wolf-happy-jackson-i-love-lists-front-hap028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.campusgifts.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/328x398/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/w/i/wild-and-wolf-happy-jackson-i-love-lists-front-hap028.jpg" height="400" width="328" /></a></div>
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I loved the simplicity of <a href="http://www.campusgifts.co.uk/wild-and-wolf-happy-jackson-i-love-lists-notebook.html?utm_source=GoogleProducts&utm_medium=product_feed&utm_campaign=GoogleProducts-Happy_Jackson&utm_term=HAP028&gclid=CJigns-imLYCFVDMtAodOVUA1g">this</a> notebook when I stumbled across it a few weeks ago. That and the pop of colour from the bright orange cover and I was sold. However, spending £8 on a notebook seems a little bit steep when you're not earning any money and I'm <i>trying</i> my hardest to be a little more frugal {we're getting there...} so I popped off down to Paperchase with a couple of ideas to hand instead.</div>
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These stickers were perfect for the pop of colour - neon pink tiny hearts, what's not to love? They were £1 for something ridiculous like 600 {they'll definitely be making an appearance on some cards!}. The kraft exercise books provided a simple backdrop that made the hearts really stand out and I simply used alphabet stamps that I've had for quite a while to add my own "i love lists" to the front. I really love the finished result! It probably took me less than 10 minutes to make all 3 and I can see them with a range of slogans tailored to the person {for one friend, the expression "sorting my life out" springs instantly to mind}. So for a grand total of £6, I have 3 gorgeous notebooks and roughly 597 neon hearts.</div>
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I think they make lovely gifts - handmade without looking naff {<a href="http://www.pinterestfail.com/">ahem</a>}. I can imagine a bundle of all 3 tied up with twine - who doesn't love a new notebook {or is that just me showing how cool I really am?}.</div>
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I've decided to start making cards again too. I spent a small fortune panic buying cards the other day - I only needed the one and got sucked in by all the letterpress charm...I did make my own for a while and then simply got lazy about it. Being still time poor but increasingly cash poor as well, friends and family can expect a few more handmade cards around the place. Decorated with hand stamped letters and neon hearts. Lovely.</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-63104794871813056542013-03-04T08:02:00.000+00:002014-10-16T12:29:44.878+01:00Make: Gifting...<div style="text-align: center;">
I think this will become a pretty staple gift in our home so apologies in advance to any of you who read this and then receive one yourself!</div>
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It was a friend's birthday the other day and not wanting to go round empty handed I popped into Anthropologie in town. I could spend a small fortune in that shop but I exercised restraint {ahem} and came away with just one of their monogrammed mugs {well and some other bits and pieces but they're all gifts too. Honest!}</div>
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I love these - we own 2 ourselves - and I think they make a lovely gift for someone. Still, I was feeling like it was a bit meh so when I saw this gorgeous bunch of yellow roses in M&S I grabbed a bunch to bring home with me.</div>
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I recently read a post on A Cup of Jo about making supermarket flowers look extra special so I set about using some of the tips I'd read to encourage the flowers to open up and look slightly more full of life. Cutting the stems under water is apparently a trick, putting them in hot water and gently opening up the petals and blowing on them helped too.</div>
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I trimmed the stems right down so the flowers were just above the edge of the mug and removed the leaves, though these weren't visible anyway. After that I simply fastened them all together with an elastic band and moved the 7 individual stems about until they filled out the whole of the top of the mug {so you couldn't see the stems, if that makes sense?}</div>
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Another tip I'd picked up, was wrapping the cut ends of the roses in wet paper towel and wrapping cling film around this to help the flowers survive the gift giving process.</div>
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The end result?</div>
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A beautiful gift because lets be honest, what girl does not like flowers? And who doesn't need their own monogrammed mug for a cuppa after some exhuberant birthday celebrations? </div>
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What do you think?</div>
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Love B x </div>
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<br />Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-6269363575547455182013-03-03T18:29:00.002+00:002014-10-16T12:29:54.591+01:00Eat: Chicken, Mushroom and Pancetta Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH00Vd6boFMPIMF1q15YkEcQGrf2KRB5p8cMC6gBCLIzTifcRbO9mEPzSaVZWX_-8Orn5GUVFDS0DzspDt8WzoxNotqtrEIlAK64h8aRtcqzu7p4yk4kfpsZ2KPnPVBDCRq7e_8QDNBk/s640/blogger-image--1513784683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH00Vd6boFMPIMF1q15YkEcQGrf2KRB5p8cMC6gBCLIzTifcRbO9mEPzSaVZWX_-8Orn5GUVFDS0DzspDt8WzoxNotqtrEIlAK64h8aRtcqzu7p4yk4kfpsZ2KPnPVBDCRq7e_8QDNBk/s640/blogger-image--1513784683.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now, lets be honest. This baby isn't going to win any awards for its looks but it was utterly delicious and perfect for a Sunday afternoon where I was feeling a little 'fragile'. Plus, it was the inaugural pie in my new {to me} enamel pie dish. I had had my eye on these for a while {after watching a few too many Jamie's 15 minute meals} but I was reluctant to spend basically any money on them. This one was a stonking 99p in a charity shop that I happened to pop in to and it's the perfect size for a generous pie for two. Clearly the charity shop gods were smiling on me that day!</div>
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On to this bad boy. It was originally a Jamie Oliver recipe but aside from the ingredients, I really just played around with the whole thing. Keep in mind these quantities made a large-ish pie for two people</div>
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<u>Ingredients:</u></div>
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chicken thighs {you could use breast if you'd prefer}</div>
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6 spring onions, finely chopped</div>
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8 closed cup mushrooms, roughly chopped</div>
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400ml chicken stock</div>
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2 tbsp single cream</div>
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1 pack of pancetta {or finely chopped bacon}</div>
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Cornflour</div>
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1 bay leaf</div>
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Thyme</div>
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1 sheet pre-rolled puff pastry</div>
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Egg/milk for brushing</div>
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I had roasted my chicken the day before for dinner. If you aren't using leftovers, roast your meat before you start cooking. In a large pan over a medium heat, fry your mushrooms and spring onions with a little bit of oil. Add in your pancetta too. Tear or chop your chicken into pieces that are roughly the same size and add these. This was probably the most time consuming aspect as the meat I was using was still on the bone and a bit fiddly. </div>
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Turn down the heat slightly and add your stock, cream and seasoning, including the bay leaf. Go easy on the salt as the pancetta will already bring a bit of salt to the whole she-bang. Mix some of the stock with a tablespoon or so of cornflour and stir this through the liquid to help thicken it up.</div>
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Cut your puff pastry in half and use one to line the bottom of your pie dish. This is controversial and Mary Berry would have a heart attack, but I couldn't really be fussed with blind baking the base and I'm partial to a bit of 'soggy bottom' in my pie though if it's not your thing, simply skip this step entirely. Or bake it beforehand with some rice to stop it 'puffing' up.</div>
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Transfer the meat and vegetables into the pie dish with a slotted spoon. You want to pack in as much as possible, lets be honest. Continue to let the sauce simmer away for a few more minutes to thicken up a bit then transfer that over too, being careful not to spill over.</div>
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Put your pastry lid on top and tuck it in nice and snug, folding over any edges and pressing them down with a fork. I meant to use my pastry bird to get my pastry top nice and crispy but totally forgot. Score the top of your pastry with a knife then, using a pastry brush, cover the top with milk or beaten egg to help it go that nice golden brown colour. I cooked mine in the middle/top of the oven at gas mark 6 for about 20 minutes, turning it once so it didn't burn in the hot spots of my oven.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinowLUKchunbEhDiCOpBPrYM5Z-m-5F78wgQdCXwbKRayyK9KnkW9Fl8DAzs7YwwibZ829h-3k7p8dVtvxUgQAsEmWNfx3WzxVbuAodxA3_DtiLFRw1WirA-2k11olhEskiniZoTns5so/s640/blogger-image--95473538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinowLUKchunbEhDiCOpBPrYM5Z-m-5F78wgQdCXwbKRayyK9KnkW9Fl8DAzs7YwwibZ829h-3k7p8dVtvxUgQAsEmWNfx3WzxVbuAodxA3_DtiLFRw1WirA-2k11olhEskiniZoTns5so/s640/blogger-image--95473538.jpg" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed ours with mashed potato {heavy on the cream and butter. Oops!} but some green veg wouldn't have gone un-appreciated! The perfect addition to a Sunday afternoon curled up.</div>
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Love B x </div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-24319997866941860162013-02-25T06:00:00.000+00:002013-02-25T06:00:02.812+00:00kitchen storage<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/kitchen_storage/set?.embedder=141298&.svc=blogger&id=73533071" target="_blank"><img alt="kitchen storage" border="0" force="1" height="463" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/pPUrPsdaC5yQo41SiaUYyg/cid/73533071/id/75KhtKJaTLSGrX_ihfmmLw/size/c600x463.jpg" title="kitchen storage" width="600" /></a></div>
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I love these vintage style storage canisters by Wayne Hemingway at John Lewis: the vintage type faces and bright colours are eye catching without being obnoxious and I love how the colours stand out but are matte at the same time. Definitely adding them to the kitchen wishlist.<br />
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Love B x<br />
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-79852717582798524412013-02-24T17:20:00.003+00:002013-02-24T17:20:51.235+00:00Back to School<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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Perhaps not the most 'wow' of wish lists but heading back to university has me packing my bag up again and preparing for another 5 week stretch of lectures and tutorials. There is still that vague back to school feeling, though its wearing thin over here. Home stretch though, and my thoughts still turn to how I could make the every day just a little bit brighter - even if it's just thanks to the polka dots on my shoes or a bright orange notebook!<br />
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This flask would be perfect for the endless amount of tea I need to get me through a day and anyone who knows me would vouch for my love of lists {I think I need to purchase this notebook by Happy Jackson}. The handbag would be a huge downsize for my usual everything-but-the-kitchen-sink numbers but I'm still on a decluttering kick which is even extending to my accessories - it would be good to not need a map to navigate through the contents of my bag!<br />
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The glasses, devoid of lenses and from H&M, are a simple reminded to update the frames I've now had for a couple of years and the padded coat? Well that is simply because I live in Scotland. It's nothing fancy but daily jaunts into the playground make it an absolute necessity.<br />
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Love B x</div>
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Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-31963007496555064672013-02-18T06:00:00.000+00:002014-10-16T12:30:14.877+01:00Eat: Prawn Ramen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73sHjFa2ANXKyAyqdlrxD9qF0G5855Bh4xM_oUURLrmXYXeJjYM1ubs5yrq_Q2DVvKCbFUzNrlh7CBh1ZP2sym7XKGSOfOSXEKj8BKymtglryXoiR2cK9ZNk8vAOQGPxnbHiKQVeoe7o/s1600/IMG_2811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73sHjFa2ANXKyAyqdlrxD9qF0G5855Bh4xM_oUURLrmXYXeJjYM1ubs5yrq_Q2DVvKCbFUzNrlh7CBh1ZP2sym7XKGSOfOSXEKj8BKymtglryXoiR2cK9ZNk8vAOQGPxnbHiKQVeoe7o/s320/IMG_2811.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was another Slimming World Recipe that I knocked up during my week off. I had my first Wagamama experience not that long ago - late to the party, I know - and I was particularly envious of the giant bowl of ramen that Sandy ordered. Looking for some healthier dishes to plate up saw me stumbling across this one and I just had to give it a go. It packed full of vegetables and you could limit or bulk up on noodles as much or as little as you like. We made probably enough for 3 or 4 and S was quite happy to polish off the rest of the portions which gives you a clue as to how more-ish it is. The addition of the ginger and the chilli give it some much needed heat that makes it a perfect comfort food dish without being too heavy.</div>
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<u>You'll need:</u></div>
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3 or 4 'nests' of <b>noodles</b></div>
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1tbsp <b>sesame seeds</b></div>
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a good couple of glugs of <b>soy sauce</b></div>
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1 pack of stirfry veg - I used one with <b>Edamame beans</b> in</div>
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2 tbsps of lazy <b>garlic</b> or a couple of cloves</div>
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5cm of peeled and chopped root <b>ginger</b></div>
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1 de-seeded red <b>chilli</b>, finely chopped</div>
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2 <b>pak choi</b></div>
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A bag of frozen <b>king prawns </b>{defrosted first, of course!}</div>
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1litre <b>veg or chicken stock</b></div>
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1 sachet of<b> miso soup paste</b></div>
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It's actually surprisingly simple, just like making stir fry until you add the liquid. Cook your noodles as per the instructions then drain and leave to one side, keeping them warm.</div>
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Put the wok on quite a high heat, then stir fry your sesame seeds in a tiny bit of oil until golden brown then add a glug of soy sauce {it might start to pop and spit at this point - careful}. You can put this to one side if you would like, in a different bowl. Stir fry your veg, chilli and garlic in a little bit of oil. Go easy on how much you use - if I'm trying to be healthy, I put the olive oil in a spray bottle then I can control it. After a few minutes, add your prawns and the pak choi {you could even add the prawns in last minute if they're already cooked and just need heated through}.</div>
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Turn the head down, add the stock, the miso and another glug of soy sauce.</div>
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I put my noodles in the bowl first and then ladel-ed the soup and veg over the top but I presume you could just put the noodles straight into the mix.</div>
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Really tasty, really comforting and still low in fat and chokablock with vegetables! Perfect!</div>
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Love
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xBridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1330132225709040107.post-69910393879605444372013-02-15T09:17:00.001+00:002014-10-16T12:30:30.794+01:00Eat: Profiteroles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbxiF7oZzAcRBdvWmQvEYxBtupn6xpooBLJml8zsnomGVtzZbQGlJeoWsProw5z120OtU2x0EceGFTxZ-hgbDgkmXmFmExRK2ZKoXfiSP7UDpFU6XiShZjEPlkOLsiVcoohNsJUYSjMI/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbxiF7oZzAcRBdvWmQvEYxBtupn6xpooBLJml8zsnomGVtzZbQGlJeoWsProw5z120OtU2x0EceGFTxZ-hgbDgkmXmFmExRK2ZKoXfiSP7UDpFU6XiShZjEPlkOLsiVcoohNsJUYSjMI/s640/IMG_2830.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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With yesterday being Valentine's day and all, I knew I wanted to rustle up something good to eat. M&S provided the bulk of the meal, I must admit {you can't lose when you can get scallops, steak, chips, strawberries and wine for 2 for £20} but I was determined to take charge of the dessert portion of the evening.<br />
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The biggest benefit to being on the midterm break, aside from some much needed R&R, has been opportunities to spend some time baking and cooking. I seem to have fallen into the kind of comfortable rut where you cook the same meals, on the same evenings every week just because it is simple and tastes good: it has been so good to break out of that comfort zone.</div>
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I had never made profiteroles before and now seemed as good a time as any. The Great British Bake Off {how I long to be on that show} and the fierce Mary Berry {in the Tyra Banks sense of the word} made them look a bit daunting but I was willing to give it a go, especially knowing I could chuck them out and no one would be any the wiser!</div>
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I followed <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chocolateprofiterole_86196">this</a> recipe, made my own chocolate ganache using a one to one ratio {e.g. 200g chocolate and 200ml cream} and then used <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pastry_cream_36417">this</a> recipe from the creme patissiere filling. I made sure to watch the choux buns like a hawk so they didn't burn and I think adding the water to the bottom of the oven really did help - they were light and airy on the inside and crisp on the outside, just as they ought to be. Not so daunting after all!</div>
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After they cooled, I dipped them in ganache and popped them in the fridge, repeating the process when the chocolate on top had hardened. I filled them last minute before dinner and the process was surprisingly easy, as long as you have a piping bag and fine nozzle! Filling them last minute meant I had to refrigerate my creme patissiere as I didn't want my profiteroles to go soggy but this meant the filling itself went a little bit lumpy. A quick whisk sorted most of that out, however, and it certainly wasn't noticeable in the eating.</div>
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I served them with strawberries, the remaining ganache and some salted caramel sauce {M&S toffee dessert sauce with some Maldon sea salt added for that savoury kick}. They were delicious: light and airy but rich at the same time and the salt from the caramel took some of the sweet edge off them. Perfect. Definitely something I will be making again! Next - eclairs...</div>
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xBridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609838831633815171noreply@blogger.com0