Just A Thought

Lately I haven't been feeling the same about blogging as I used to. I initially started my blog because I loved writing about things that I liked but was a little anxious to start doing outfit posts until I decided to stop over-thinking it and just do it! But now after a year or so, I've started to wonder why I even do it anymore. I go through phases of being really eager to post more often and then there are days where the thought of blogging fills me with dread. I didn't like the way my approach to shopping had changed - I was buying new things on a more than regular basis and simply wasted a lot of money that realistically shouldn't have been spent. I still love reading other blogs and love fashion but it's slightly lost its appeal to me and I can't figure out why. My university course requires a lot of creative input and will always take up the majority of my time and effort. For the first time in my life i've actually found a subject course that i am in love with and feel really positive about the future. For the meantime, i'll be taking a break from blogging to focus on my other work commitments and hopefully will be back soon!

Red Leather & Fur

ASOS Fur Coat / H&M Jumper & Bag / Levi's Shirt / Miss Selfridge Leather Trousers / Kurt Geiger Boots

I've been on the hunt for a new winter coat and completely forgot that my mum had put a huge suitcase full of my winter clothes in the loft. I found this jacket that I had bought years ago and it brought back many memories of first and second year at my old university in scotland. I went two sizes up so I could layer up as much as possible but thankfully winter hasn't hit us full throttle just yet!

Avoid A Same Dress Disaster

"It's that all too familiar scenario. You've spent weeks, months even, searching for that seemingly perfect party outfit and arrive feeling fabulously festive - only for someone else to show up wearing the exact. same. dress"

Harvey Nichols have come up with another brilliant and hilarious Christmas ad! They've taken the 'death stare' further and heightened it with sci-fi laser beams and explosions. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter & Nutella Cookies

After numerous failed attempts, I recently decided to tackle my fear of baking (the only thing i could well was apple crumble) and start again with the basics. I wanted to share with you a recipe for some cookies that I made yesterday using my two favourite spreads - Nutella and Peanut Butter! 

What you'll need:

Greaseproof Paper (or Parchment Paper)

170 g (unsalted) butter, softened

105 g dark brown sugar 

100 g white granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

160 g smooth or crunchy peanut butter (I used crunchy!)

110 g Nutella

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

MAKES APPROX 30 (I GOT 26)

Pre-heat your oven to 175 degrees C and place greaseproof (or parchment paper) on your baking tray. 

In a large bowl, mix the butter with both the brown and the white sugar until creamy. Add the peanut butter and then the nutella (I just threw them in together!). Next combine the egg and the vanilla extract into the bowl. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda and incorporate slowly into the peanut butter-nutella goodness! 

NOTE: This next step isn't necessary but I would strongly advise you do so. 

Place the mixture in the fridge for about an hour (you can actually freeze the cookie dough as well - just roll into little balls and pop them into a freezer bag).

You can either roll the cookie dough mixture into little balls of the exact same size (e.g. 1inch) and then press down with a spoon or knife OR you can do what I did and just use a tablespoon to measure out a 'dollop' of cookie dough, transfer onto the greaseproof paper and press down gently with a spoon.

Bake the cookies for 10-15 mins or until they're lightly brown on the edges. Remove from the oven and cool them down on a wire rack. Serve warm with ice cream! 

Revlon: One Perfect Coral

When the weather gets colder, I usually go for dark shades of plum, red, blue or purple but I found this gorgeous coral nail polish my mum had recently bought and loved it instantly. It's a slightly neon and more coral in real life which unfortunately doesn't come up on the camera, no matter which setting I used! Drying time was surprisingly quick and I didn't even need the two coats that I used because the polish has the right amount of 'thickness' to ensure full coverage. Now all I need is a holiday to somewhere obscenely hot and sunny to wear this to.   

Inspiration: Magazine Covers

As part of my project at university, I have to come up with an artefact that represents me as an individual. I wanted to find a way to display my interests and what I'm passionate about and as a result came up with the idea of creating a print magazine. I have spent the past month or so compiling a scrapbook for inspiration for content, layout and the general aesthetics for the magazine. Today, i've spent the day navigating myself around InDesign and looking at magazine covers to keep myself inspired. The whole process is going to be stressful but i'm excited to see how it's going to turn out!  

Zara Boots

I have an unhealthy obsession with ankle boots