Christmas | Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire

When we think of Chirstmas, everyone has certain things that spring to mind. Mine are presents, decorations and most importantly, food. Ever since I can remember me and my family have visited Doddington Hall during the run up to Christmas.

With a cosy cafe and restaurant, a farm shop full of everything you could ever need, a country clothes and interiors shop and my favourite part, The Bauble Barn, Doddington Hall can't be beaten.

The Bauble Barn sells everything from lights to wreaths, from baubles to trees. It is jam packed with festive decorations in every colour you can imagine.

Doddington Hall offers a seriously satisfying collection of country clothing brands, including Barbour, Aigle, Gant, Musto and so many more!

 Adjoining to the clothes shop is India Jane interiors. If you're into interiors this place is heaven. There's something for everyone. They stock some really unique pieces that would make your house feel like home.

The farm shop at Doddington Hall is really something, award winning in fact. Every time you go back you'll find something different. You'll find local brands and products made on the farm, the bakery, deli and grocery. Everything you could ever need for every occasion.

Also in the farm shop is a selection of gifts that you'll probably just want to buy for yourself, because who doesn't deserve a treat after a hard day of looking round the farm shop and buying presents?

Not just for Christmas, Doddington Hall farm shop is a treat all year round. What can beat local produce and quality food?

Eat With Me | BBQ Chicken Flatbread and Veg

So as students go, we like things which are quick, easy and most importantly, cheap.

I think this possibly the cheapest meal I've made that has actually filled me up (filling me is a pretty hard job though..)

I found wholemeal flat breads in Sainsbury's for less than £1 for a pack of about 8. I bought some BBQ chicken pieces in my weekly shop and had some salad and veg left over.

First chop up your cucumber (if you want it) and put it to one side.

Fill a saucepan big enough for your veg with boiling water, put it on the hob and when the water is boiling put your veg in. I just used broccoli and green beans
because it's what I had in but you can use whatever you fancy.

Grill your flat bread until it looks how it should do to you, some people will want it more grilled than others, so its a personal preference. Once you've got it perfect for you, put it on your plate and drizzle some BBQ sauce over it. If you don't like BBQ sauce, just use another, this isn't a BBQ exclusive dish..

Put your salad onto the flat bread and then arrange your chicken over the top of that.

Once your veg is done, arrange that as you please and then you're literally done. If you're reaally hungry then you could make 2 or add some rice or chips.

Eating in London | Le Pain Quotidien, Covent Garden

After a rushed morning exploring London, me and my sister were SO ready for some quality food. After searching for somewhere that looked like our kind of place we stumbled across Le Pain Quotidien in Covent Garden. They pride themselves on their bread being made only of 4 key ingredients and their food being ethically sourced with traditional simplicity inside. Le Pain Quotidien literally translates to 'the daily bread' - and the bread of this day was amaaaazing.

Expecting a considerable wait, we were pleasantly surprised when we were seated almost immediately. Absolutely parched I ordered an iced coffee (of course) and baked egg with chorizo and soda bread.

I'm a sucker for a perfect egg, I was not disappointed. The chorizo was gorgeous too and of course I dipped my bread into the yolk...

I am also a sucker for good presentation, and HOW CUTE ARE THESE TINY LITTLE PANS.

As iced coffee's go, this was perfect.. Although that could have something to do with the trek around London that morning. This little place is a perfect way to sit and observe the hustle of Covent Garden and eat something tasty to fuel your day.

I would highly recommend Le Pain Quotidien and would love to try some of their other dishes. You'll find these adorable little places dotted around London and Kildare and you'd be missing out if you didn't give it a try!

Eat With Me | Turkey, Sweet Potato Mash and Green Beans

It will become increasingly obvious to you as time goes on that I am a massive lover of food. Cooking it, eating it, ordering it, thinking about it.... 

As a result of this fact, I've decided to write a series of posts containing meals I've cooked at home, on my student budget that are healthy... ish... usually.

So to start us off... 

Turkey, Sweet Potato Mash and Green Beans

This one is literally so easy. You can swap the turkey for your preferred meat and the beans for whatever veg you fancy.

First, peel your sweet potato and chop it up into chunks. 

Once you've done that, get 2 saucepans, one slightly bigger than the other for the potato, fill them with water and put them on the hob and wait for the water to bubble. Pop in your sweet potato to the larger one.

I use a grill pan for my turkey, but you could also fry or grill it on the grill. After you've chopped up your turkey (or not) to your preferred size, start it cooking. 

Keep testing your potatoes (shove a knife into one piece) and when they're nearly done (they'll be almost soft) put your green beans into the pan. 

Once your potatoes are done, drain them and then pop them back into the pan & mash them. Be sure to make sure your turkey isn't over cooking. If it is, just pop it on a lower heat or if it's done, turn the heat off and keep it in the pan until you're ready to plate up. 

By this time, your veg should be done. Drain that too and arrange the mash and veg on your plate. Take your turkey and pop it on your plate too.

If you felt like some sauce with this, obviously whack that on too. Sweet potatoes are my favourite 'good carb' and so cheap!! The green beans were on offer so that's why I chose them, so I'd probably say just buy whatever veg you fancy or what's on offer. Turkey is a cheaper meat than chicken and contains less fat.. If you're fussed about that.

Let me know what you thought about this post, or what kind of meals you'd like to see on this series of posts!

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Illuminating York 2015

Illuminating York is one of the first festivals of it's kind in the UK! It is now in its 10th year and is one of the most magically beautiful events I have seen. Running between October 28th-31st, the beautiful city is illuminated in unique and breathtaking ways. The festival re-defines well known sites in York and brings to light hidden gems enclosed in the historic city. From illuminating works of art to fringe events across the city, Illuminating York 2015 is said to be one of the best yet and I couldn't agree more after witnessing the opening night.

My personal favourite was seeing The Shambles lit up by glitter balls running down the centre enhanced by strategically placed lights. The whole street glistened and was filled with sighs of delight by the many attendees.

The Museum Gardens were another luminous delight, filled with botanical themed lights and sounds. As everybody walked around York's beloved Museum Gardens, all to be heard were positive comments and gazes of awe... A truly impressive display.

Of course, after all of the excitement of the magical lights, what better than some crepes rustled up by a Come Dine With Me winner? This adorable crepe van was filled with West End classics and you're served by charming men in suits and bow ties!

With 2015 being the UNESCO year of light, Illuminating York truly represented that in full form. The works of art by students displayed in The Guildhall were a perfect representation of this spectacular festival. As usual, York hasn't failed to impress me. Illuminating York is a must see and I can't wait for 2016's festival.

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All I Want For Christmas Is...

As Christmas speedily looms on us, I've of course been thinking about what presents I'd like to be opening on December 25th.

1) First on my list is something I've been after for quite some time. A Jo Malone candle, every time I go to buy one I always talk myself out of it: "this much for a candle, am I really going to do that?" and every time I regret not buying one... So what better way to get around the problem than to ask somebody else to buy me it?!

2)When I'm at home, I love to go for a walk in the woods with my family so a pair of Barbour wellies would be the perfect gift! These little babies to be precise..

3) If I was being optimistic and very lucky, a new Apple laptop would be perrrrfect.

4) As every girl does, I love handbags.. What's missing from my collection is a nice slouchy handbag, I've seen a few around but none are just right, if I found one that I love (eventually) then that would be a lovely gift to receive!

5) When it comes to comfort, Ugg have pretty much got it covered.. And what's better than the perfect pair of comfortable slippers? I've got my eye on these Scruffette II slippers for toasty feet through winter!

6) My bedroom is my sanctuary and I've decorated it with grey and white accessories. I'd love some photo frames to match in with my room as I love having my photos displayed.

7) My house mate has a fur blanket in her room and it's the softest thing I've ever touched. Of course after stroking her blanket for probably too long, I decided I wanted one.. It's from John Lewis and I think I need this blanket

8) Recently I've been using some Dermalogica products after being treated to them as an early birthday gift and I LOVE them.. My skin feels absolutely incredible. I usually have a very oily complexion and this special kit of miniatures for oily skin has really helped control it and give me a lovely even result, I got mine from Harvey Nichols in Leeds. I'd love to try some more of their products as they seem to agree with my skin!

9) If slippers and wellies weren't enough winter accessories on my list, here's another. The White Company do stunning jumpers and I'd love to have one! Have a look at their knitwear collection, you'll be as obsessed as I am! http://www.thewhitecompany.com/clothing/knitwear/

10) The same as a lot of girls I know, I'm absolutely lusting over H&M and Balmain collaborating! I'd love a killer dress to wear on a super special occassion!

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12 thoughts that girls have approaching winter..

1) I cant wait to get my winter jumpers out!

2) Did I REALLY look this fat in this jumper last year? Why did nobody tell me?! I look like a pumpkin..

3) This candle will look so good on my Instagram.

4) Whoever said layering was easy LIED TO MY FACE!

5) Oh these Starbucks and Costa Christmas cups are amazing.... for my Instagram

6) As soon as the snow turns into that gross slushy stuff I am BED BOUND 

7) Why have no shops realised that boots need to be nice AND have a good grip too?! I can't deal with slipping and sliding everywhere! 

8) Who cares if I eat my body weight in cake? Surely my winter woollies will cover it up, right?

9) Shit, it's Christmas very soon and I am very skint.. Looks like everyone's getting a hug this year, the gift that keeps on giving... 

10) How am I seriously expected to get out of my bed when A) it's absolutely baltic outside and B) it's still dark? Nope, not happening, not today.... Or tomorrow

11) This dress will look sooo cute with tights and boots... *steps outside*... Holy mother of God my legs are freezing!!!! Layer those tights ladies..

12) How do some girls pull of the bobble hat so well? I look like a rather obese male..

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Lists lists lists....

As I sit here to write this post, I'm surrounded by to do lists, weekly planners, diaries, lists for any occasion really. . I'm probably the worlds most obsessive list writer.. Everything is transferred to a list (I am far too rock and roll for my own good, I know)

The one thing I couldn't live without is my academic diary, this thing goes EVERYWHERE with me, if I ever lost it, it actually scares me thinking about what I'd do without it! I'm really starting to realise how sad my life is whilst I'm writing this post.....

I love to use my Ted Baker pen as it makes me feel a bit fancy! It's also a dream to write with... Wow I REALLY am sad.

In this little book my life is contained.. Appointments, lectures, dinner dates, train times, addresses, birthdays, phone numbers... The list goes on!

I've got a busy weekend ahead as it's my birthday weekend, the big 20! I can't even think about how many times I'm going to have to consult my diary this weekend, I'm terrible for forgetting times etc! When I'm not being lazy (most of the time I am) I use a different colour for different kinds of things.. Pink for dinner dates, black for uni, blue for birthdays etc.. I find that really helps if I'm just quickly checking my week.

Now my family are fully aware of how much pleasure I take in lists and stationary.. So last year my sister bought me this amaaaazing list book from Paperchase

 

I adore the print but sadly they don't sell them in this print any more, however they have some really nice ones in at the minute! It comes with a tick list, a larger list page, one with the floral print on and some little tab notes too. I use the tab notes for my reading for Uni to mark pages in books.

I make lists for every imaginable thing, on my wall at the moment I have a list of things I need to buy (this is a long one), how much I've spent this week, Christmas gift ideas, my Uni deadlines, things to do/read for Uni, what I'm going to take to Uni for lunch and what a I need to take home with me. Usually the one I need I'll pop into my diary so I always have it with me in case I need to add to it.

How do you guys keep organised? Do you have any tips to share?

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What's been keeping me so busy?!

I've been pretty distant from the blogosphere for a fair old while now, haven't I? Here's what I've been up to....


Spending a lot of time with my friends!
From day trips to nights out and everything in between! We've had weeks full of food, fun, drinks and so much quality time!

Amongst all of the fun, me and my house mates from first year have moved into our lovely new house, still in the centre of York!!

We've also gained a house mate, Victoria! She's so lovely and I'm really enjoying living with her!

I've also had lots of fun with Jack lately, including a trip to Kendal for our 1 year and have been spoilt with flowers too! 

As it's reaching that Christmas period, I couldn't help but start my shopping! I also may have gotten a bit too into the whole thing and spent £25 in Paperchase on wrapping things too!

Since being back in York, I've been really missing my friends from home, we spent so much time together over summer it's been more than odd not seeing them daily! This called for a good old reunion with them coming to York for the weekend!

Another friend came to York for the day, and he had one mission - to get to Betty's fast!! As always we had a delicious time! Afternoon tea for two!

So along with Uni and a loooot of Uni work, that's whats been keeping me busy in my time away from the blogosphere!

I'm back!

I have had a crazy busy few months, with moving into my new house, getting back into the swing of things at Uni and other things that have had me rushed off my feet! All of these things have lead me to neglect my beloved blog quite considerably..

I'm now back and ready to blog - I promise I'm back for good this time! I've been getting up to some really fun things lately and I'm really looking forward to sharing them with you all! I've been having lots of fun with my family and friends and of course have been taking lots of pictures to share!

As my 20th birthday looms closer and closer, I'm really starting to panic and think about the future, see my blog super soon for a post of things that I'm thinking about as I realise that I'm a fully grown adult now! Eeeeep!

Reflecting on life - 6 things that make me happy!

I've been reflecting a lot lately and it's really made me realise how lucky I am to have so many things and people that make me happy!

1) My friends - I could never be without them. They make my life happy and bright, genuinely the loves of my life.

2) My uni fam - I couldn't have been blessed with better flatmates than those I was given in my first year and they've really become a huge part of my life. I couldn't imagine life without them

 

 

3) My guy - I never understood what people meant when they said that their boyfriend was also their best friend, but after meeting Jack I fully understand that now. There's no better feeling than feeling completely comfortable with somebody and feeling like you make somebody else happy.

 

-

 





4) My fam! - Since being at uni, I've learnt to appreciate my family a whole lot more than I did before!

 

5) Being more independent - Another thing that's happened since I've been at uni, I've become so much more independent! I really enjoy doing things for myself, earning my own money and buying my own things. I've loved developing my own routines and ways of doing things.

 

 

6) The amount of new people that I've met - I've met some amazing people in the last year, I really think it's true what people say 'you meet your forever friends at Uni'...