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...!

Recipe - Warming Fall Squash Soup

Speedy Butternut Squash Soup                                      

 0 pp per serving

  Makes 4 servings

2 Butternut squashes, roasted until lightly blistered then peeled

1 vegetable stock cube (optional)

Boiled water

Ginger, garlic, chilli, coriander

Salt & pepper to taste

Add the ingredients to a blender. How much boiling water you add will depend on how thick/thin you like your soup. The spices and seasoning can be added to suit your tastes.

Whizz up in a blender (be careful – it will be hot!) and decant into a pot or individual bowls. Sprinkle with some coriander to serve. You can also scatter a few butternut squash peel crisps on top to add a little crunch!

Butternut Squash Peel Crisps                              0 pp

Butternut squash peel

Rosemary (fresh or dried)

Sea salt

Spray some cooking spray on an oven tray and spread your butternut squash peel evenly across it. Spray lightly with the cooking spray then sprinkle the rosemary and sea salt over the peel.

Roast in the oven for 10 minutes at 180 degrees celsius. Keep an eye on them – if the peel does not have much flesh on it will crisp very quickly and burn! You have been warned!

 

Recipe - Delicious Chicken & Mango Stir Fry

I love making this to bring a hint of the tropics to a cold autumn evening - the mango gives it a juicy, sticky sweetness to counteract the heat of the chilli and ginger. Always a favourite in my household! I have calculated the Weight Watchers ProPoints values for the stir fry and my herby cous cous - you get plenty of eating for your buck!
I cook my stir fry using coconut oil which has huge health benefits and adds another tropical element to the mix. Mmm I'm feeling hungry now!

Chicken & Mango Stir Fry                                                    

                                                                                           4 pp per serving

                                                                                           Serves 2

225g skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 red chilli, de-seeded and chopped finely

1 inch fresh ginger, grated

175g broccoli, broken into florets

125g mange tout

125g baby sweetcorn, cut lengthways

225g mango, peeled & cubed

2 tbsp. tomato puree

2 tbsp. light soy sauce

1 tsp. corn flour (optional, to thicken)

 

Brown the chicken in a frying pan lightly coated with cooking spray or 1/2 tsp coconut oil. Add garlic, chilli, ginger, broccoli, mange tout and baby sweetcorn and stir fry for a further 5 minutes. Add mango and heat through for 2 minutes. Mix together the tomato puree, soy sauce and corn flour and add to the pan. Cook stirring until the sauce thickens.

Herby Couscous                                                                                        6 pp

60g (dry weight) Couscous per person

Half a stock cube (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste

Mint, Coriander or preferred herbs (fresh is better)

Juice of one lemon

 

Pour boiling water over the couscous according to packet instructions. To the water add the stock cube, seasoning &lemon juice. Cover in cling film and leave to absorb water.

Once ready, fluff up the grains with a fork and stir in torn mint and coriander. This makes an excellent accompaniment to the Chicken & Mango Stir Fry above.

Style Files - Biker Cool

Fall has finally arrived and the streets are lined with orange and rust brown leaves, giving a satisfying crunch when you walk upon them. As much as I love summer, I do enjoy autumn dressing - cosy knits, faux furs, winter boots - I love them all!

My favourite cosy but super chic essential is my faux fur lined biker jacket from River Island. I've been counting down the days till I could wear this without looking crazy and the cold autumn breeze has finally made that possible! For a bank holiday weekend of kicking up the leaves with my hubby and west highland terrier, Abbie, my biker friend kept me looking cool but feeling toasty warm!

Now I'm back to burning cinnamon scented candles, making huge pots of butternut squash soup (recipe to follow!) and counting down the days till Christmas! I do love this time of year!

Bisous xx

Wedding Belles

When 2 become 1...

Two of my very favourite people tied the knot this weekend in a stylish ceremony in Greenock Town Hall. Roxanne was the stunning blushing bride and she finally hooked her Prince Charming in Graeme! Sarah and I were delighted to share their big day and perform the obligatory bridesmaid duties.

Raise your glasses to toast the newlyweds - to Mr & Mrs Bell! May God bless you with a lifetime of happiness together!

Our beautiful bridesmaid dresses are by Coast - I just adore the origamy detail. I may try to have the dress shortened at some point because it will be a fantastic Christmas party option!

The big day took place at the Greenock Town Hall which was beautifully decked out with twinkling lights and flowers. Only a dramatic venue would work with that beautiful wedding dress and Roxanne certainly made an entrance! A day of friends, fun and happiness to toast to a new and exciting journey - I just love a good wedding!

;)

Me, Roxanne and Sarah enjoy a glass of bubbly before heading to the Town Hall!

The blushing bride herself!

Recipe - Smoothie Sunday!

I am loving a breakfast smoothie these days - what better way to get a quick and easy boost of nutrients and fibre that will give you the get-up-and-go that you need on these darker mornings? And as if you needed another reason, nutritionists say that if you keep everything else equal but incorporate veggies into every meal you will lose weight! Why? Because veggies are calorie light but take effort from your digestive system to break down so you will feel fuller for longer whilst effortlessly burning fat! Score! AND might I say that whilst my loved ones are sniffling with the seasonal transition colds & chest infections, I am feeling rather full of health & vitality (and hence rather smug)! Are smoothies the key? Who knows! But it certainly doesn't hurt to supercharge your day with vitamins, minerals and powerhouse antioxidants!

So here are a couple of smoothie recipes to get you started. Experiment and mix in different fruits and veg that you enjoy. Never let veg go bad in your fridge-there's no excuse when you can throw it into your smoothie!

You can substitute the coconut water with unsweetened almond milk or plain water if you prefer. Spinach and kale are neutral tasting greens so they are good to start off with but you can swap them up for any green leafy vegetables. If you need a sweeter taste you can add a little trivia or stevia for a natural no calorie sweetness. You can also add a scoop of protein powder or some 0% fat Greek yogurt if you feel so inclined!

SUPERMODEL SMOOTHIE
250ml coconut water
Good handful frozen mixed berries
1 banana
Handful spinach
Handful kale
1/3 cucumber

GREEN GODDESS SMOOTHIE
250ml coconut water
1 green apple
1 pear
1 banana
Good handful spinach & kale (or any greens)
Ice

Whizz in the blender and enjoy! Your skin with be clear and glowing, your hair shiny and lustrous and you will feel a great overall sense of well being!

Style Files - Glasgow Safari

On a trip to Glasgow you can encounter quite the variety of 'animals'! But I was prepared in my safari style dress from H&M. Summer may be coming to an end but I am grasping onto every little beam and refusing to succumb to autumn just yet!

Dress - H&M
Shoes - Just Fab

Are you getting your 8 a day?

...glasses of water that is. Eight glasses of water a day roughly equates to the 2 litres recommended daily intake for adults. And fruit juice, most fizzy drinks, caffeine and alcohol don't count!

So why the sudden focus on hydration? I have just started a nutritionist course so look out for healthy hints and tips appearing on this blog from time to time. Properly fueling our bodies with the nutrients it needs will leave us healthy not just on the inside but glowing skin and shiny hair are high on my list of beauty must-haves!

Did you know that losing just 2% of your body weight can cause dehydration symptoms such as poor concentration, fatigue, headaches, inefficient kidney function and a deterioration of muscle function? And that losing from as little as 5% of your bodyweight in water can be fatal! Yikes!

When you first increase your water intake you should expect a few more trips to the ladies room but within a few weeks your body will regulate and you will notice that this returns to normal. On the upside, the benefits in sporting performance and concentration will be noticed almost immediately!

So get filling those water bottles ladies and make the most of the fact that most offices now provide chilled water coolers and machines free of charge. Keep a 2 litre bottle at your desk and refill it every day - like all nutrients, your body needs a steady flow of water throughout the day.

Start now and by Christmas everyone will be wondering how we look so darn glowy and amazing!

Drink up!

Bisous xx

Style Files - Karaoke Queens

The final instalment in Roxy's hen marathon!

The ladies painted the town red in Glasgow with champagne at the Grand Central champagne bar followed by canapés, karaoke & cocktails at the stylish Corinthian, where we danced the night away till our pinched toes couldn't take anymore!

I wore:
Dress by AX Paris
Jacket by Zara
Shoes by Christian Louboutin
Handbag by Rebecca Minkoff

My Louboutins have fast become my go-to footwear for evening occasions-I still can't believe how comfortable they are!

Now the countdown is on to the main event - the wedding takes place 3 weeks on Saturday! Sarah and I can't wait for our bridesmaid fitting this Saturday-it'll be the first time bride and bridesmaids all try on our dresses together! It's really feeling real now Roxanne!

3.5 weeks for me to eat right and continue my daily Insanity workouts! Bring it on!

Until next time....bisous! Xxxx

Style Files - No Photos Please

When I saw Millie Mackintosh of Made in Chelsea sporting this fantastic tee I just new it was a must for my BFF Roxy's hen weekend in Blackpool! Queue many photo opportunities and I'm just too famous poses!

'No Photos Please' Tshirt - bought on eBay