It’s the little pretty things that I have the most difficulty resisting. I like to surround myself with eye-catching ornaments. Flippant fripperies.
Category Archives: Lifestyle
Aurelia Skincare
When it comes to skincare, I like to keep things simple. For cleansing my dry, dehydrated and very sensitive skin that’s full of personality, I’ve long been an advocate of, what I call, the ‘Balm then Buff’ regime: a creamy balm cleanser massaged into dry skin which is then slowly buffed off with a hot wet cloth. It’s the best way to thoroughly cleanse your skin as the cloth also gently exfoliates and removes makeup perfectly.
Crumbly Cookies
I firmly believe cold and dark January evenings are best spent baking indoors. You need something sweet and understanding to lift you. That’s where these cookies come in: virtuously light and fluffy, like a cake in the middle, but with a crunchy exterior that gently crumbles.
Cheat Macaroni Cheese
Here’s something to work up a lot of enthusiasm for (although I’m almost embarrassed to call this a recipe, as it’s simply a ‘meeting and heating’ of basic ingredients already in your cupboard and fridge that, when cooked together, creates a very quick and ridiculously easy meal in 10 minutes): no call for weighing scales and you make it in one saucepan. Perfect for a fast lunch that doesn’t compromise on taste!
Surrey Wine
I visited Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking as I was keen to see the place where almost half a million bottles of wine were created during the last harvest in 2014.
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Last year I posted this recipe for Cinnamon Buns (and it went down like a cinnamon bun should: a lip-smacking treat!). Since then I have modified the recipe slightly. Theme and variations of the cinnamon variety. I still love the original, but this new version is a lighter dough, less bready and more like a pastry in appearance. The outer edge is a little crispy and the middle remains a perfectly moist, plump dough.
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Perfume Notes: Dior J’adore
Perfume is one of my favourite things. I’ve been fascinated in fragrance since I discovered Givenchy’s Tartine et Chocolat (or Eau de Chocolat) when I was a child. I like to think I have ‘The Nose’ as one of my party tricks is being able to identify perfumes while blindfolded! This obsession with perfume has led to quite a collection and although some scents come and go I’ve got some lovely favourites that have remained constant, like old friends.
Cooking With An Aga
“Until I owned an Aga I never quite understood how Aga owners could be so ecstatic about a cooker. Now I totally understand and am devoted to mine.”
Well said Mary Berry.
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Work Up A Sweat…Shirt
The sweatshirt has been centre stage for a little while now, thanks to the ubiquitous Sports Lux trend. Big, basic… and beautiful. Draped over a delicate dress in Summer or worn with a pair of tan jodhpurs (too much Surrey?) it has definitely proved itself to be a very versatile little item. And it’s here to stay.
Pear Upside-Down Cake
This luxurious pear upside-down cake is a cracking teatime bake (its top cracks so pleasingly) for friends coming over at ‘Twixtmas’ – the fun festive time between Christmas and New Year. The juiciness of the pears with the richness of the sponge make it cake perfection. Your tastebuds are pulled all over the place. Light / indulgent.