Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

I finally got round to putting my Christmas tree up on Sunday and now I feel ready to welcome all things festive into my home!

I had my first Christmas night out last week and I just wasn't feeling it. Something was missing - I just wasn't in the jingle bells state of mind. Roll on a week, my tree is up and looking fantastic (if I do say so myself!), and I really think that makes all the difference!

I love bringing out all of those meticulously packaged glass baubles that bring back so many memories - like our Mr & Mrs one bought for our wedding last July. It's hard to believe it has been brought out for a second Christmas already! How times flies!

Of course Abbie (my baby, well actually my West Highland terrier) has her own Christmas tree decoration too! Notonthehighstreet.com is pure bliss for anyone searching for something they really don't need but really really want!

Finally, I had to share with you our wall art which warmly welcomes visitors into our home - another notonthehighstreet.com find - I promise they didn't sponsor this post! It may be corny but it makes me smile! Christmas at the Orrs - I just can't wait!

Xx

It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas...

My first festive bakes of the season, Nigella's white chocolate and cranberry cookies, are finally getting me into the Christmas spirit. Not only are they delicious (I thought I'd better post pictures quickly before they all disappear!) but the juicy cranberries always make me think of Christmas. Of course, storing them in my delightful reindeer tin (from Poundland - I kid you not!) helps a great deal.

You can find the recipe below (or in Nigella's Christmas Kitchen cook book) - I always substitute the pecans for extra white chocolate chunks!

Inspired to bring some festive cheer to my kitchen this December I also ventured out to good old Primark to pick up a red tablecloth, Santa oven gloves and Christmas tea towels. It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

Next on the list - decorating the tree! My job for this evening!

Xx

Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies
by Nigella Lawson

Makes 30
Ingredients
150g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
75g rolled oats (not instant)
125g soft butter
75g dark brown sugar
100g caster sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
75g dried cranberries
50g pecans, roughly chopped
150g white chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 180oC/ 350°F/gas mark 4.

Put the butter and sugars into a bowl and beat together until creamy then beat in the egg and vanilla.

Beat in the flour, baking powder, salt and oat mixture and then fold in the cranberries, chopped pecans and chocolate chips (I usually skip the pecans and add extra chocolate...yum!)

Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into a ball with your hands, and then place them on a lined or greased baking sheet and squish the dough balls down with a fork. You will need two baking sheets.

Cook for 15 minutes; when ready, the cookies will be tinged a pale gold, but be too soft to lift immediately off the tray, so leave the tray on a cool surface and let them harden for about 5 minutes. Remove with a spatula to cool fully on a wire rack.

Travel - London Calling

I recently went down to London for the weekend with my two best girls for a weekend of fun frolics and lots of shopping!

To start our weekend off in style we traveled first class by Virgin trains and enjoyed the free food and drink to the maximum! I'm not sure any of us will be able to travel in standard class again!

We even went on the London Eye and the weather stayed clear and sunny enough for us to see all of central London from the top. Totally worth the 30 minute queuing early on a Saturday morning.

We also went to see Rock of Ages (I know, I know - I'm obsessed) and we were sat 2 rows from the front! Awesome.

And of course we did some shopping - just a little of course! The Christmas displays in Harrods were perfect for getting us into the festive mood!

We stayed in Chelsea, right in the thick of it, surrounded by shops we couldn't afford and horrificly overpriced bars. We ventured to Maggie's (80s nightclub extradonaire) on the Friday evening after Rock of Ages - great way to keep up the 80s vibe! The place was packed though - and when I say packed I mean sardines so dancing was out of the question! Shame because the music was pretty amazing! We also went to Juju on the Saturday night but I was really disappointed - I remember it being much better the last time I was there (I must've been much drunker!) It was dark and dingy and full of self-important look-at-me-types. Not my scene!

Here are some snaps from our London adventure. Thanks to Sarah and Roxanne for making it so great! :)

Sarah and I living it up in Chelsea!

Roxanne and I in our Bourbon room Tshirts enjoying a cocktail at Chiquitos pre Rock of Ages!

Getting ready to rock!

Style Files - Springing into Winter

Sometimes I just can't let go of summer. Luckily some events such as weddings allow you to hold onto Spring/ Summer shades and florals for a little longer regardless of the dull skies and chilly breeze.

I recently attended a christening which was just the occasion to bring out the spring florals for one last time before succumbing to the darker shades that winter brings. Teaming my florals with tough leather and faux fur stopped the shivers.

This flowery delight was a total bargain in the H&M sale and the peplum style is classically flattering. My faux leather jacket from Zara toughens it up a bit and has been my go-to jacket while the weather is chilly but not freezing.

As you can see from our paint-splattered floor, we are currently undergoing home improvements! Two months with no oven has been trickier than you would think but it's amazing what can be done with a double electric hob! Soon our kitchen and floors will be done and I will share the finished product with you! I can't wait to get back to baking!

 

 

 

Dress - H&M Sale

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Jacket - Zara

Faux Fur - eBay

 

N.B. This post is not sponsored

 

Style Files - The Jumpsuit

I never thought I would be a fan of the jumpsuit - like an adult onsie that you wear outdoors, I thought they were unflattering and childish.

But I take it all back! The modern jumpsuit is sleek and oh-so-chic and I am in love with this one from Topshop (also loving this one and this one).

I wore it on a night out to 80's club Maggies in London's Chelsea and styled it with my Biba necklace and bracelet and my trusty Louboutins.

Here I am before hitting the dance floor in our little Chelsea apartment home-from-home. It is quite backless so perhaps not the warmest option for a cold November night but, boy, is it comfortable!

Don't stop me now! I'm having such a good time, I'm having a ball!

Style Files - Mulberry Tree

OK so I might have the teeniest tiniest obsession with Mulberry. Not the most affordable obsession I will admit - so it is one that I indulge only every couple of years, to subsequently covet the newly purchased item until it more or less falls apart.

Now since the purses and bags are so beautifully well made, I do find it hard to justify the purchase of another one whilst my current collection only looks better with age - so that might have to wait until my lottery win (which I haven't lost hope in yet!). So instead, I indulged in a much more affordable but equally covetable leather bracelet. It's not just about the bracelet itself, which is fabulous of course - and I can't stop stealing glances at my wrist when I wear it - but it's the whole Mulberry experience that draws me in every time. The shop assistants are very good at the "we're worth it" L'Oreal-esque chat and then there's the packaging! I'm a sucker for luxe packaging and Mulberry never disappoints!

So I'll be swinging this lovely from my wrist all autumn, coupled by my beat-up but still fabulous bayswater. Now all I need is that lottery win...!