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.
“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.
Continue reading Cooking With An Aga
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.
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.
It’s absolutely freezing and the heating is on, which makes the transition from frosty outdoor walks to warm, cosy gatherings by the fire hugely satisfying, but a bit troublesome for your skin.
May I suggest a simple and delicious cheddar cheese risotto for Christmas Eve? The tang of the cheddar cheese against the plump risotto makes it a comforting, light and a welcome vegetarian meal at this time of year. Plump for plump risotto!
I don’t know why gingerbread is typically confined to December, as I happily make it all year round. Here is my fool-proof gingerbread recipe.
I went to Claremont Landscape Garden in Esher eager to catch the golden-copper colour trees and to learn a bit more about the history of the gardens.
Ooooof – lasagne. Lazy because it’s melt in the mouth tender meat and full of vegetables, slow cooked in a dreamy rich tomato sauce and then tucked up under blankets of pasta. Toasted cheese is the top eiderdown.
It’s almost Christmas time! I’ve put together a Christmas gift guide from a mix of independent shops and department stores in Surrey. Here goes: