Recipe: Cheesy Apple Pie

Apple pie is my favourite dessert. I could eat it all day long with a massive dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Pilgrims Choice kindly sent me a voucher to try out their cheese in the apple pie with a twist. At first I wasn't too sure but loved the sweet and savoury mix. These aren't the prettiest of pictures but who ever said apple pie was pretty?! Excuse my patchy pastry, it was my first time making the darn stuff and it was a lot more fiddling than I thought. Especially when it didn't expand in the fridge due to my lack of cling film. I only had enough for the top! You live and learn!

I slightly adapted the originally recipe to what I already had in the house.

Ingredients:
For the pastry:
225 plain flour, sieved
50g baking spread
75g of lard, cubed
75g of grated mature cheddar
4 tbsps of cold water

For the filling:
450g Bramley Apples, peeled, quartered and cored
450g Braeburn Apples, peeled, quartered and cored
50g caster sugar
1 tbsp of ground cinnamon
1 medium egg - beaten for glazing

You'll need a nice pie dish too.

1. Pre heat the oven to 220 degrees, 425 degrees or Gas Mark 7.

2. Put the flour, better and lard into a large mixing bowl. Rub both the butter and lard together with your fingertips into the flour to make fine breadcrumbs. Add the grated cheese and water to create a soft dough. Knead it for around a minute. Wrap it tightly in some cling film and put in the fridge for 30 minutes. 

3. Pop the apple quarters in a large bowl and mix together.

4. Fetch the pastry out of the fridge and roll out a little less than half to approx 30 cm in diameter to line the base and sides of the dish, trim the edges and keep them to make an apple for decoration.

5. Pop the apple slices in the dish and sprinkle them with the sugar and cinnamon.

6. Roll out the remaining pastry to 40cm in diameter. Brush the rim of the pastry base with a little of the beaten egg and carefully put the lid on top of the filled base. Press the edges together and trim the edges.

7. Knead the trimmings back together to make your apple shape. Then pop it on once you're happy with it.

8. Make a small hole in the centre of the pastry lid with a skewer to help let the steam escape.

9. Cook in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes then reduce the temperature down to 190 degree, 375 degrees or Gas Mark 5 and cook for a further 40 minutes or until golden brown.

10. Make sure you keep an eye on it as different ovens cook at different speeds - mine was actually ready at 30 minutes!

11. Enjoy in front of the telly with your favourite ice cream!

As always I'd love to know if you attempt this, please do tweet me your creations. Thanks for the cheese Pilgrims Choice! 

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Why I love blogging

Blogging is a funny old business isn't it? It changed a great deal since I first started over five years ago and has really exploded. I still remember the day I pressed publish on my very first post. I was sitting round my boyfriend's house messing around on my laptop while he was concentrating on the football. I'd been reading through a few of my favourite blogs and thought 'you know what? I can do that'. They'd been badgering us at Uni to start a blog as it would be good for our portfolio. I decided I had nothing to lose and lost myself writing a few meaningless words. The rest is history and I've never looked back.

Hand on my heart, this blog is the best thing i've ever done. It gets a lot of flack in the real world and even in 2014 the average person doesn't really know what it is. My friends still scratch their heads at the thought of me posting my mug on the internet on a weekly basis. My 'blog face' has become a running joke. But it's thanks to this little site on the internet that I've had some of the best experiences of my life.

I've been taken to Paris, been gifted some wonderful clothes by some of my favourite brands, appeared on companies own blogs, been taken out for dinner and been treated to lots of fun evenings out. It still blows my mind when I get an email in my inbox regarding this blog. I can't believe they're interested in little old me!

I also met some of the best girls I have had the pleasure of knowing. I was always very much 'one of the lads' and didn't really have a solid big group of girl friends to call my own. This soon changed. We first started talking to each other on Twitter, then meeting in person at events, then meeting before events to go for dinner, then meeting just for dinner and finally going round and having sleepovers at each other's houses. Now they're no longer just 'internet' friends but just good old friends. Friends I know I can count on to tell me if i'm being an idiot - we all need that - and who will be a shoulder to lean on when it all gets a bit too much. It's amazing what the internet can do. You all know who you are!

If you're thinking of starting a blog, just take the plunge. You won't regret it. I don't know if I'll ever stop, after five years it's still not old hat. I love thinking up new blog posts and taking pictures. It still gives me a fuzzy feeling when I gain a new follower or a comment. I may not be as well developed as other blogs or have a massive following but i'm very much proud of this place on the internet. It's been a fantastic ride.

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Leopard

Outfit:
Leopard print faux fur coat: c/o FandF
Grey chunky knit cropped jumper: c/o Next (similar)
Pleather midi skirt: Pretty Little Thing (similar)
Croc print chunky heeled shoes: c/o FandF
Purple floral phone case: c/o Inconemesis

Can I just say how utterly amazing is this coat? So warm and snuggly! I managed to snag an invite to the Florence and Fred SS preview throw work and we were very kindly given a voucher in the goodie bag. I'd seen this coat on other blogs and knew immediately it had to be mine. It's such a bargain at under £40. It's a good job we don't have a clothing section in my local Tesco as i'd be spending an absolute fortune. I've recently upgraded to an iPhone 5 - so with the times I know! - so it must have been fate when Iconemesis emailed to see if I wanted to try out a new phone case. I went for a floral design and thought the colours seemed lovely and wintery.

This weekend will be spent with lots of cinema trips to see The Hunger Games and a sneak preview of Paddington tomorrow in London. I think i'm more excited by the latter if i'm honest. Paddington's a cheeky chap isn't he? Other than that I have a hot date with my best friend tonight in the form of pjs, apple pie and a takeaway. The only way to watch The X Factor.

What are your plans for the weekend?

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Costa Christmas

A little while ago I was very kindly invited to preview the new Costa menu before it went on sale to the general public. Lucky me eh? I'm going to hold my hands up here and admit that i'm not a regular hot drink drinker and coffee isn't really my thing. But I loved the Orange Hot Chocolate. It was perfectly decedent and had a lovely aftertaste. The White Hot Chocolate was a treat! I couldn't manage the whole drink as it was very rich but richness is what you want at Christmas right? If you can't go all out during the festive season, then when can you?

The Hot Spiced Apple tasted just like cider but without the alcohol. The cinnamon stick was a great touch and really added to the flavour. The treats? Oh my, they were delicious! If I had to pick, my favourites was the giant mince pie - which i've had twice since - and the childhood favourite cornflake cake with a festive holly leaf.

We were also kindly given a voucher to try their festive sandwiches range and I made a beeline for the Cheese Board Panini. It makes me sad that it's only limited edition as I could eat it every day for lunch! I'm already planning my third one in the space of a few weeks. It's perfect for any cheese lover and the tangy cranberry sauce helps to enhance it rather than overwhelm it!

The Brie, Bacon and Cranberry Panini is next on my list. Sounds yummy eh?

Have you tried their Christmas menu yet?

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25 things i've learnt about being 25

1. Conversations at the pub on a Friday night now consist of pensions and house deposits.

2. People will find it strange when you say you're not too sure about having children. They tell you not to worry as your biological clock will start ticking soon... That old chestnut.

3. It's still perfectly acceptable to wear crop tops.

4. After being with your boyfriend for eight years, marriage will be the talking point at any family get together. They will also find it strange that you don't want a ring on your finger.

5. Those crease under your eyes are permanent fixtures when you smile.

6.  Life admin is very satisfying to do on a Friday night.

7. Those hangover now last for two days.

8. Netflix marathons are the way forward and you wake up as fresh as a daisy the day after. Result!

9. Thanks to nearly three years of full time work, you will find it impossible to sleep in after 9am on the weekend. Those midday uni lay ins are long gone.

10.  There's no better feeling in the world than being id'ed on a night out. You still look youthful!

11. You still find it hard to make your wage packet last longer than two weeks. At least you live like a Queen in those first two weeks of every month eh?

12. You can still bust those shapes on the dancefloor to TLC and remember all the lyrics to Yeah by Usher.

13. You find it mortifying when you find out someone is born in the 1990's even though you were only born in 1989.

14. You still choose to buy that dress over being able to afford a night out. Who needs wine when you have sequins?

15. Backstreets boys will always rule over every other band.

16. Those group of friends you befriended at the tender age of 17 in sixth form are keepers. They know your inner, most darkest secrets and they still wants to be friends. Amazing.

17. You still pinch yourself you're living your childhood dream of being able to write for a living. It won't ever get any less surreal.

18.  You can't really get away with eating junk food every day. Sometimes you have to eat healthily as much as it pains you.

19. You will still always choose a burger over vegetables.

20. After 25 years you still struggle to stay on your feet. Drunk or sober.

21. You're just too old to appreciate mosh pits at a gig.

22. Your parents will always be your biggest cheerleaders.

23. It's brilliant to finally have a solid group of girl mates after being one of the lads for many, many years.

24. Seeing the world is one of the most humbling experiences ever. Travel is truly amazing.

25. You still refuse point blank to be a grown up.

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Won't you stay with me? 'Cause you're all I need

  

Outfit:
Quilted faux leather jacket: Zara (similar)
Grey polo neck jumper: Primark (similar)
Jacquard black and silver floral midi skirt: c/o Poppy Lux
Croc effect chunky heeled pointed courts: c/o Florence and Fred

When this skirt popped through my letterbox, I immediately thought of Christmas. There's just something about the metallic colours that scream the festive season to me. I think it's a keeper for Christmas Day. There's plenty of room to scoff down an insane amount of cheese and biscuits on the big day. What more could you want? Etail PR have come to the rescue!

I can't get over how fast November is creeping past. I feel like I'm going to blink and it's going to be December. My diary is starting to fill up with lots of Christmas get togethers and my shopping list is fast getting ticked off. I have a trip to Bruges in a few weeks which I'm extremely excited about. I'm not usually much of a Christmas fan - working in retail kinda sucks it out of you. But this year I'm enjoying seeing all the mince pies and Christmas trees pop up in shops. Working in food has meant that I've already had my fill of festive treats since the beginning of the month - long may it continue!

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How to style vintage into a modern wardrobe

I am a bit of a throwback to the past. I adore anything vintage or old fashioned but I struggle to dress head to toe. I can't seem to pull off vintage clothes without looking a little bit frumpy so instead I buy retro inspired clothes to get the same look. However, I have learnt along the years how to work with vintage acessories to help enhance my wardrobe. Here are a few tips on how to get the look without going the whole hog.

Brooches

I have an obsession with brooches - to the point where I struggle to leave pretty ones behind. I find they are so great for helping to jazz up a coat or a jumper. They're such a talking point and gives your outfit a little old fashioned charm without being too fuddy duddy, Colourful ones are brilliant for all black or monochrome outfits and pearl ones can help you embrace your inner Audrey Hepburn. You can pick them up for hardly anything from charity shops and bootsales.

Vintage scarfs
A scarf is by far the most simple way to jazz out an outfit. You can have an all-black outfit and pick a snazzy printed scarf and voila it changed the whole vibe. Opt for a long sweeping scarf to wear around your neck with a faux fur coat or choose a shorted multi-coloured scarf to tie around a vintage-style hairstyle.

Old fashioned bags
I'm also a collector - sense a theme here? - of what I like to describe as Kelly bags. Structured leather handbags - usually from the 1950's or the 1960's - are pretty easy to pick up from charity shops and car boots. They look so classy and can really give an outfit a vintage kick especially if you pair them with a midi skirt or shift dress. They're also a great size which is perfect if you like to carry a lot of junk around like me.

Pearls
My favourite stone is by far a pearl - i'm not sure Cameos count as a stone? - and i've built up quite a collection over the years. A string of vintage pearls immediately make an outfit ten times classier in my opinion. You can also go for pearl stud earrings if you want to push the boat out. I'm hardly ever seen with a pair of pearl studs.

How do you incorporate vintage in to your modern wardrobe? 

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Wake me up when it's all over.

Outfit:
Midi beige trench coat: Zara (Similar)
Quilted mint green floral midi skirt: ASOS (Similar)
Suede pointed Chelsea boots: Topshop
Black Cat eye glasses: c/o London Retro via Glasses Direct

Over the past year i've realised i'm a complete sucker for a cat eye so when Glasses Direct got in touch and offered me a snazzy new pair of London Retro glasses, that's obviously what I went for. I love the retro vibe of the specs and how they're something a little different from the norm. I was drawn to the leopard print on the arms. No point in blending in if you're a glasses wearer!

Glasses Direct actually offer a special service where they send you four of your favourite frames at no charge to try out at home. Once you decided on which beauties will grace your face, you can order the winners online. Then you return them free of charge within seven days. If nothing tickled your fancy, you can start the whole process all over again. Genius! They've also introduced a new boutique range which feature some amazing brands such as Ray-Ban, Superdry and Tommy Hilfiger.

What's your favourite style of glasses?

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Laura Ashley S/S '15

 

A few days ago I was invited along to have a little mooch around at what Laura Ashley will have to offer next season. It's always such a joy to have a sneak peak.

Their handbag game was immense. They're not a brand that I associate with handbags but I fell in love with every one they had on offer. I adored the gorgeous pastel colours and many reminded me of Michael Kors in the shape. The stunning pink envelope bag would be ideal for a summer wedding - it's big enough to still fit all your junk in!

They really went to town with their patterns for this season. The nautical themed rail was amazing - loved the adorable seagull print. You really can't beat a good thick cotton dress when the weather starts to heat up and the boat print one ticked all the right boxes. The cute buttons on the strap at the back was a lovely detail. My personal favourite has to be the midi white embroidery anglaise dress. It was such a perfect length and the material felt so luxe. Definitely a piece I'm going to look out for!

I was particularly impressed with their range of kitchenware. I'm a sucker for some china and loved the pretty patterns they had on offer. The cake knife would be perfect if you were throwing a family garden party and wanted to impress whilst cutting a yummy Victoria sponge. Who can resist the cute Tobias the dog lamp? Such a handsome chap!

Has anything caught your eye?

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Layering up

Outfit:
Midi beige trench coat: Zara (similar)
Burgundy and navy scarf: c/o New Look
Black across the body bag: Zara (similar)
Black turtleneck jumper: Primark (similar)
White textured drop waist dress: Asos
Leather heeled black boots: Topshop (similar)

You can tell the chill is starting to set in when you resemble the Michelin man when you leave the house thanks to the endless layers. This outfit is the prime example! Gosh it's been a little cold this week hasn't it? This trench still hasn't left my body since the day I bought it but I might have to retire it soon. It's just not thick enough! I'm still not entirely convinced by the drop waist dress. It's a little bit too much like a smock and not too flattering. But it's the ideal piece for layering a jumper underneath and is so comfortable! It definitely looks better with a bit of a heel.

Thank the heavens for Friday eh? This has been one hell of a week!

How are you layering up now the winter months have hit?

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Embracing the junk (in your trunk)

It's hard being a woman. There I said it. Seeing stunning, slim girls in magazines can play havoc with your self confidence. Everyone always has an opinion of how you should look and what is attractive.

I spent years wishing I was built differently. I always wanted to be straight up straight down but alas this wasn't to be. I was born a classic pear shape with my hips being the largest part of my body.

Despite knowing deep down I'm not fat, I'm constantly trying to better my eating habits and lose weight. I'm the girl always moaning about how many calories I'm consuming yet will always have that extra glass of wine or eat everyone's leftovers. I blame the former chubby girl inside who lost three stone at the age of 18 on Weightwatchers. I always see that girl in the mirror. I last a week, maybe two weeks of being a machine with my eating habits then I fall spectacularly. Usually when I get the chance to go out for dinner and stuff my face with three courses. I know I should exercise more and stop eating as much junk food.

But do you know what? I've started to embrace who I am. I'm in a healthy weight range for my height even if it may be at the higher end. My height helps me to carry off any few dreaded pounds that I might be carrying. I have a boyfriends who loves me just the way I am. I would love to lose half a stone but I also love to enjoy life - which to me means eating all the food. In the world. Swings and roundabouts.

At the grand old age of 25 I've finally worked out what clothes suit me and help my confidence grow. I like to wear crop tops as my stomach is flat and my waist is my smallest part. I find the 50's silhouette skims my hips and helps me appear much more slimmer than I am. The midi length is perfect to hide the top half of my legs. I would love to wear trousers but they just cling far too much to my child bearing hips doing me no favours. I ain't ever going to be a jeans and tee kinda girl. My bum doesn't agree with that!

It may be cliché but it really is true that you become more comfortable in yourself the older you get. You just learn to not really care any more. Life is far too short to be counting calories all the time. If you want to have that burger, stuff it in your face. Just try to maybe have a better day the next. It's all about balance. It wouldn't be any fun if everyone looked the same. I bet what you have in your eyes as perfection, someone else has you as perfection.

Fake the confidence until you have it my friends. You're beautiful just the way you are.

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Recipe: Scones

Whenever I'm pushed for time and fancy baking up a storm, I always opt for some scones. They're so simple to make and cook so quickly that they're in your mouth before you have the chance to say 'clotted cream and jam please!' This is my go-to recipe adapted slightly from Good Food.

Ingredients:
350g of self raising flour
150g of sultanas
1/4 tsp of salt
1 tsp of baking powder
85g of stork baking spread
4 tbsp of caster sugar
150g of half fat natural yogurt
4 tbsp of semi-skimmed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp of milk to glaze

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and line a piece of greaseproof paper with butter before placing in a baking tray.

2. Mix the flour, salt, butter and baking powder in a big bowl with a wooden spoon. Then stir in the sugar and make a well in the middle of the mixture.

3. Warm the yogurt, milk and vanilla extract in a the microwave for a minute. Don't worry if the mixture looks a little lumpy, this is normal! Pour the mixture into the bowl and mix in with the dry ingredients. Pour the sultanas in at this stage too.

4. Take the dough out on to a flour dusted surface and fold it over a few times. Roll the dough out to about 4cm thick and cut out your scones. Continue until you have used all the dough.

5. Beat the egg with the milk and glaze the scones before popping in the oven.

6. Leave them in for 10 minutes until they are golden brown and risen. Leave to cool on a wire rack before tucking in with lots of jam and clotted cream if you have some in the fridge. Strawberry is my favourite!

As always make sure you tweet me if you happen to give these a go, I'd love to see how yours turn out. Happy baking!

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Thoroughly English

At the risk of being very cliché, I'm very much an autumn girl. I love it when the weather starts to get a little more chilly, the trees start to change colour and I have the excuse to spend my Sundays tucked up in bed binge watching Netflix without feeling guilty about missing out on the sunshine. I really do love layering up and getting all cosy with a scarf and gloves. Don't even get me started on buying coats. My excuse for my bulging wardrobe is as a Brit we spend most of the year in coats so I need to stock up. But just no rain please. I hate the rain. I've put together a little wish list of things I'd love to be sporting this season. A girl can dream right?

Parka - Joules, Skinny Jeans - Joules, Red Audacious Lipstick - NARS, Navy Tartan Check reversible scarf - River Island, Kate Salon Pro red Nail Polish - Rimmel, Jewellery - Joules, Leather brogues - Joules

Jumper - Joules, Trench Coat - Joules, Cream Embellished gloves - New Look, Grey bag - River Island, Boots - Joules

What are you looking forward to buying this autumn?

This post was written in collaboration with Joules.

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