Bruges City Guide

I had such a lovely few days in Bruges that I thought i'd put together a little city guide. I love finding out about places people went during their travels. I've got a photo dairy coming later this week.

I'm going to put my hands up and say many of these suggestions were given to me by the wonderful Hannah. There's hardly anywhere in the world that girl hasn't been. If you're ever jetting away, be sure to drop her an email!

Soup
This is a lovely little place just off the main square that only sells soup. Hence the name. For around 7 euros you get a hearty bowl of soup, half a panini, a small tub of grated cheese, a small tub of croutons and a piece of fruit. Absolute bargain! This was the perfect meal to help warm our cockles after wandering around in the cold. We left with very full bellies!

The Windmills
Bruges is very small and after a while you run out of things to do. Hannah had informed me the Windmills had a somewhat romantic air about them so I dragged my boyfriend on a walk. Armed with a map, we navigated the cobbled streets and finally ended up in the location. Despite the drizzle, it was a lovely way to see the city and i'd fully recommend seeking them out. There's a cracking quaint pub next to them too which is worth a visit.

Contrast B&B
I found our B&B on the Guardian's website after being determined to seek out somewhere a little quirkier than the bog standard hotel. This was a complete gem! We were immediately welcomed in by one of the enthusiastic owners Cathy and it really set the standard for the rest of our stay. They were so helpful and the breakfast spread they put on each morning was amazing. I gorged my face on homemade bread, croissants, freshly squeezed orange juice, scrambled egg with lashings of ham and cheese. I would wholly recommend anyone visiting the city to seek out this place! Opt for a garden room as they're so cool!

The Habit
We were in search for some delicious local food and came across this on Trip Adviser. They've never let us down before so we took the plunge. It was worth the risk! The portions were absolutely massive and in hindsight we really didn't need the starter. I chose 'Old Fashion Meatballs' and picked a winner. They came out the size of my fist with oodles of chips and a thick gravy. I struggled to finish it all much to my dismay. It did get fairly busy so i'd recommend you get there earlier or book a table.

't Poatersgat
Hannah had previously described this pub as her favourite in Bruges so I knew we had to check it out.  It's so easy to miss so make sure you keep your eyes out for small wooden monk doors - they lead to an basement. Once inside it's very cosy and has such a good atmosphere filled with locals and tourists. They have a darts board and table football if you fancy getting competitive! The beer is reasonably priced and they have a good selection. The cherry beer gets a thumbs up from me!

Belfry of Bruges
No trip to the city is complete without a trip up to the famous bell tower. Be prepared for over 300 steps! It's worth it as the view is incredible. It's only around 6 euros to get in and you can stop on different floors to read all about the history. We went during the week at around 11am and it was absolutely fine but I should imagine it gets rammed at the weekends so go as early as possible.

't Brugs Beertje
This place sells over 400 different types of beer - amazing! It's like sitting in someone's living room and it does get fairly busy but it has a fast turnaround. Stick it out and you'll get a table in no time. They do table service which is fab and have various bar snacks on offer if you get a bit peckish. It's next door to The Habit so kill two birds with one stone!

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Christmas Foodie's Festival

If you've been reading this blog for longer than a week, you'll immediately know i'm into food in a big way. My expanding waistline doesn't really appreciate this. I got an invite to go the special Christmas Foodie Festival and I gathered five of my fellow greedy friends and we spent the day ooooh-ing and ahhh-ing over delicious grub. One of the best things about popping along to a food festival is taking advantage of the samples. Boy did we take advantage! We had to try everything to make sure it was edible right?

I'm going to list a few of my highlights:

Blackdown Artisan Spirits - They were showing off their incredible Christmas Pudding Vodka which they served warm with mulled spices. I'm a bit of a pansy with straight spirits but this I could have guzzled all day. It was so comforting and had the perfect kick to it. I'd imagine it's great in front of an open fire with a mince pie to munch on. It's quite pricy at £40 but would make a great gift.

Gibson Organic - These liquors are homemade on a family-run farm in the Cotswold. I was persuaded to try the raspberry liquor and was immediately sold so splashed out on a glass of prosecco mixed with a fruity shot. It was so refreshing and delicious. I'll be buying a bottle for the festive period!

Wild At Heart - This stall had a yummy looking selection of jams, jellies and a pesto. I was kindly given a pot of the presto to try and am looking forward to sampling it on some fresh pasta with roasted tomatoes.

Mello Mallo - I was very excited to see these here as I follow them on Twitter and was dying to sample their goods. I treated myself to the gorgeous looking white chocolate and raspberry marshmallows. They were deliciously fluffy and melted in my mouth. I wish I had bought some more!

Cranes - These fruity alcoholic juices tasted like the perfect summer drink - they're only 99 calories per drink too. Amazing! I sampled all flavours and the tangy cranberry had to be my favourite.

I also came home with a massive bag full of different spicy sausages and salami from the stall that sold the chorizo above. I have no idea what to use it all for so am open to suggestions? I have paella and an antipasti night on the list so far. I just couldn't leave it behind for a tenner!

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Review: Vinopolis Wine Tasting

I love a good glass of wine so when an email popped up in my inbox asking if I fancied popping along to Vinopolis to sample their wine tasting, I jumped at the chance. It's located just round the corner from London Bridge and Borough Market - pop into the market beforehand to grab a bite to eat!

When we arrived we were informed that we were going to given a 15 minute introduction into wine tasting. The host was so enthusiastic and really knew his stuff. He taught us how we should swallow to get the best taste - well more like gurgling! You should hold it a 45 degree angle to inspect the wine. After a quick pep talk, we were let loose!

The card you see above is loaded with tokens which you pop in the machine - as demonstrated by moi - and press the button for a 25ml glass of wine. You can pick from white, red and rose but be sure to hold onto your glass as you only get one! The wines range between one to three tokens each. If you fancy a change from the wine, there's a few spirits on offer you can sample too. I loved the fact you could register your card in any of the machines and it sent you a email detailing all the wines you sampled - genius! If a particular one tickles your fancy, you can even purchase it which is a great memento to take home.

We spent a good few hours mooching around sampling at our leisure and reading all the information dotted around. I loved the fact it had a detailed description of every wine so you really knew what you were getting before you took the plunge. There were various members of staff dotted around in case you had any burning questions.

I think it's such a great idea for a group of friends or even for a unusual date night. We saw quite a few groups of girls which I take it were on hen parties. We kindly got to test out the Quintessential package which cost £38 for 16 tokens. This was more than enough and was such good value for money for the amount of wines we tried.

Have you ever been wine tasting?

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Acting your age

As I've mentioned before, I turn 26 next month much to my disgust and I keep reading different articles about what things you should or shouldn't be doing once you hit a certain age. What utter rubbish! Just because you hit the grand old age of 25 doesn't mean you should stay indoors and invest in a pipe and slippers. You want to go out dancing and come home when the birds start singing? Then go for! Equally you want to stay in your jammies all day and binge watch Netflix? Go for it!

I'm not about to let my age dictate how I dress, what I do or how I act. And nor should you. Those crop tops are staying in my wardrobe for as long as I have a fairly flat stomach. Even if that means I'm doing it well into my 30s and I'm getting tutted at in the street. I'm also going to carry on going to a club and dancing until my feet are about to fall off. Who cares if society decides 'you're too old' to do certain things. You only get one life so you may as well do what makes you happy. I've not got enough time to worry about what other people think of my actions or if i'm acting my age.

Growing old disgracefully seems kinda perfect to me! I'll be the old lady wearing red lipstick, unsensible shoes, sequins and dancing to the YMCA loud and proud. Care to join me?

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A few favourites #1

Red lipstick - Chanel Incandescente
Green glittery crop top - Topshop
Sweetpea and Freesia scented candle - c/o Laura Ashley
Smythson leather notebook - c/o Smythson
Green glitter nail varnish - Nitrogen c/o Only Fingers and Toes
Vintage cameo earrings - Local jewellery shop (similar)
Pitt Cue Co Cookbook - TK Maxx (buy it here)

As you can see from the bits and pieces in the post, i'm getting rather into the festive spirit and am looking like a Christmas tree with the green sparkles! That's never a bad thing right? Admitedly I haven't yet cooked anything from the Pitt Cue book but after trying their delicious food a few weeks ago, I had to buy this for only £8 when I saw it. The only problem is trying to decide what to cook first! I got the candle in a goodie bag at the recent Laura Ashley event and it smells absolutely gorgeous. It's lovely to have in the bathroom while I'm relaxing in the bath reading a book. A candle makes all the difference!

I was sent this gorgeous yellow notebook with a very apt quote on the front - we all need to be reminded to follow our dreams. It's been sitting in my bag ready for me to pull out when a moment of inspiration strikes. It's been so useful to write down various blog ideas and also to keep track of my life. I can't be the only one who seems to write endless lists? They have a gorgeous selection of leather diaries on the website that will make amazing Christmas presents.

What have you been loving recently?

This is a sponsored post by Smythson. All thoughts are my own. 

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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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