Wednesday 30 April 2014

Some berry yummy Froyo

I have to admit that in the past I have not been a froyo fan. I tried it a couple of times last year and didn't really like it. It tasted far too fat free for my liking, and just... boring.


I can usually take or leave ice cream, but when i want it, I want it, and a lot of it.


I seem to have been having more ice cream cravings than usual recently, So decided it was time to give the froz yog another try (third time lucky, eh?). Umm, best idea ever. I can't believe what I've been missing! I feel like I have wasted so many years without froyo and I have to make up for lost time.


Inspired by a recipe I found online, I adapted this raspberry frozen yog recipe to suit my own taste. I like the sharp taste of berries so I didn't add any sugar, however if you have a sweeter tooth just add icing sugar to taste. Basically, you can do whatever you like. It tastes so friggin' good and I want to try out millions of flavours.


You want to know the best bit? It's super healthy. In fact it's so healthy that you can eat it for breakfast. Or lunch. Or as a snack. Or just whenever you god damn want.


So go on, give it a whiiirlll.


To make two generous servings of raspberry frozen yogurt you will need:

250g Raspberries
2 tbsp Raspberry jam
250g Greek yogurt
 

Bung the raspberries and jam into a pan and stir over a medium heat for 5 minutes.


Sieve the mixture to get rid of the seeds (you could leave these in if
you like) and mix in the yogurt.

If you want to add sugar, now's your chance! Add to taste, otherwise leave it out for a sharper flavour.



Whisk mixture together and pour into an ice cream maker. Get that baby mixing until you have a smooth consistency, put into a container and freeze.


If you don't have one... Don't fear! You can pour the mixture straight into a container and freeze for one hour. Remove from the freezer, beat until the mixture is smooth and put back. Freeze for 30 minutes and then beat again. Repeat the freezing and beating until it has a smooth consistency.


Now, tuck in... with a shovel.


Have you got any good frozen recipes worth a try?

M x

Monday 28 April 2014

A New Home

On Friday, A and I moved into our new home.

With lots of helping hands, we were in by supper time and ready for Bedfordshire.

Saturday was spent turning our new apartment into a home and shopping for one of our best friends birthday gifts.

I had a much needed night in to myself with a selection of cheesey movies and a cheeky bowl of popcorn...


Sundays are one of my fave days of the week - lay ins + leisurely breakfasts = heaven. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a mug of freshly brewed coffee and a naughty (but nice) breakfast. My scrambled egg wrap didn't stand a chance...


Once breakfast had been demolished I got my bake on and whipped up a batch of scones for afternoon tea.


Pretty yum, not gonna lie. I was good and only had one... Couldn't resist.



Alexandra and Jonny then popped in for an impromptu visit bearing a house warming gift and so we ordered in a cheeky pizza and put our feet up (would have been rude not to).

I am now exhausted and ready for a vegetable or two. This week is all about getting back onto the health wagon and preparing myself for the busy month ahead.

What did you get up to this weekend?

M x



Wednesday 23 April 2014

Easter Weekend

Every year I am beyond excited to head back to the countryside for a weekend of Easter fun and this year was no different.

Not only is Easter a fab excuse to eat a ton of chocolate (although I must say I only had a tiny bit this year despite being given 7 eggs!) it's also a great opportunity to catch up with loved ones.

My weekend was spent lunching with my wonderful Grandparents, cooking and catch ups with Daddy, banter with the brothers, running and chats with Sarah and laughter in front of a camp fire with friends. 

Dad and I got busy in the kitchen with this homemade fish curry - Recipe coming soon!


My gorgeous little brother down at the river

Mummy no.2 and I ready for our run (I look bald!)

Dads project coming along.
         
It was the perfect opportunity to reflect and really focus on what's important in life.
On Tuesday a group of us got together and had an indoor picnic and a Channing Tatum movie marathon (hello!) We stuffed ourselves full of food, lazed around and made exciting plans for Summer. The perfect end to a pretty marvelous weekend.


Alexandra's picnic basket ready for action.
In other exciting news, A and I got the keys to our new flat which we will be moving into this Friday. I'm hoping the oven will be up to scratch so I can get baking and try out new recipes for you.

I hope you all had a lovely Easter and got your choc fix, I certainly did!

M x

Thursday 17 April 2014

Oh My Gaaad Creme Egg Brownies

Okay guys, I'm beyond eggcited to share this simply amazing brownie recipe with you.


You seriously need to make these. Like, now.

I figured it was finally time to jump on the creme egg brownie wagon, you know, as it's Easter and all.

Being the super amazing girlfriend that I am, I whipped up a batch of these bad boys for A, since I'm venturing back to the Country for Easter.

I found this recipe on the Nottingham Post website this afternoon and within half an hour I was in Sainsbury's buying the ingredients. I marched home and got to work with A checking the progress every 5 minutes.

I suddenly feel the need to stock up on Creme Eggs before they sell out. I don't think I can wait until next year to make these again!

So.... Let's get cracking (okay, enough of the egg jokes now)

You will need:

185g Unsalted butter
185g Plain chocolate (High quality kids!)
85g Plain flour
40g Cocoa powder
3 Eggs
275g Golden caster sugar
6 Cadbury's eggs (halved)


Begin by pre heating your oven to 160 degrees. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl over a pan of boiling water. Don't let the bowl touch the water as it will cause the contents to burn.


Once melted, put to one side. Whisk the eggs and sugar together with an electric whisk (or get those muscles going beating by hand) for about 3-8 minutes until the mixture has a milkshake-like consistency.


Add the melted chocolate, stir, then mix in the flour and cocoa powder until you have a big gooey chocolatey bowl of heaven.



Pour the mixture into a 20cm square baking tin. I use silicone for brownies because they are so easy to turn out and you don't need to line with parchment. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.


Now for the fun part! Grab your creme eggs and chop in half. Not gonna lie, I did struggle with this a bit and got into a bit of a sticky mess (excuse to lick my fingers!). I rather enjoy the rustic look and these not looking completely perfect though.



Once the brownies have been in for their first stint in the oven, pull them out and evenly place the creme egg halves all over the mixture. Chuck em' back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes and you're done! I would suggest leaving them to cool before chopping them up, but I don't blame you if you're too impatient to wait.


Just look at that... I'm salivating.

These are easy to make, impressive and the perfect naughty treat for Easter.

What are your favourite Easter bakes?

M x

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Springing into Action

The sun has been shining almost solidly for the last week. This makes for a very happy Maddie. I have been in a constant haze, day dreaming at my desk of summer nights, Pimms and adventures with friends.

Spring is doing a very good job as a warm up act for the main event, so much so that I've already started splurging in preparation.

My top 3 Spring/Summer purchases so far:

1. Bubblegum Pink Lipstick by Lasting Colour


The perfect shade to add a pop of pink to any outfit. I usually have trouble finding a good lipstick that doesn't fade too easily, smudge or crack. I bought this on a bit of a whim because I really liked the colour, however it's actually really good quality. Want to know the best bit? It was less than £5! Nothing says HELLO SUMMER more than a bright pink lipstick.

2. L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner


I was a bit sceptical about buying this product as I'd read a lot of mixed reviews online. However as Boots had a half price offer on I thought why the hell not? It was a sign! This shampoo is pretty incredible. As someone who has pretty thin and flat hair, I've wanted something to boost it without leaving it sticky and full of products. I've used this for a week and can genuinely see a difference in my hair. Apparently there's something in the shampoo that causes your hair to expand? I don't care what it is, it seems to work!

3. Olivia Round Sunglasses from Accessorize


I must say, I do enjoy experimenting with different styles of sunglasses. I usually go with the classic aviators, however I found myself in a spot of bother when in London a few weeks ago in the blinding sunlight, with no shades! I quickly popped into Accessorize and found these bad boys which I've fallen head over heels in love with. I love the style and they're a great pair to add to my collection. 

What are your favourite Spring/Summer time accessories?

M x

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Life after Graduating and how to make the most out of an internship

After graduating in 2012 with an Upper Second Class BA Hons in Journalism, I had absolutely no clue as to what I wanted to do as a career.

After deciding to stay in the City I graduated in, I started to look for any sort of job to pay the rent. This proved to be extremely difficult and after weeks of searching and applying for 100’s of vacancies, I ended up with a cleaning job. Yes, cleaning.

As I donned my rubber gloves at 5am, I started thinking what the HELL was going on? I had just graduated! As far as I was aware, I did not need a degree to clean toilets.

After a few weeks of cleaning with my fellow cleaning team and a bit of banter with one of the security guards, I moved on to bigger and better things (or so I had thought).

After a handful of horrendous jobs and obscene experiences as a full time worker, I was lucky enough to secure myself a 12 month paid internship at the University I studied at.

The internship I applied for was not in a field I necessarily wanted to pursue, nor was it extremely well paid. I applied for the role because I had heard great things from a few friends and nothing could be worse than the role I was currently in.

Applying for the internship was the best decision I have made in my short (but eye opening) career. From day one it’s been a continuous learning curve and has been a fantastic opportunity to work in a different environment.

As I reach the end of my placement and reflect over the last 8 months, I thought it would be a great opportunity to share with you my tips on life after Graduating and how to make the most out of your internship.

So, here we go.

Throughout your degree make sure you:

1.       Gain work experience

This is so important. Work experience is crucial nowadays; don’t forget your competing against thousands of other graduates who want the same job as you. You need to stand out from the crowd and what better way than proving you’ve done more than sit around and play beer pong for the last three years.

2.       Use your University Careers Service

I’m not just saying this because I currently work in Careers. The number of third years and graduates I see who say they’ve sent their CV to countless companies but haven’t heard anything back. Want to know why? Because it’s rubbish. It’s horrendous. So bad that I wouldn’t even use it as a bad example. Don’t leave it to the last minute, be prepared and get some help, it’s free!

3.       Explore your options

This doesn’t necessarily mean deciding exactly what you want to do, most people still don’t know years after graduating. My mum said she didn’t know what she wanted to do until she was in her late 30’s, you’ve got plenty of time to decide. The beauty of further education is that you can attend at any time and any age, so if in a few years time you decide you want to be an Architect, you can go back to study (YAY 7 years!).
What I mean is, explore different routes. What are you interested in? What are your hobbies? Have you looked into jobs that incorporate these? If not… Get on it! If you’re interested in animals you could land your dream job as a Zoo keeper. The world is your oyster and it’s there to explore.

Internship Do’s and Don’t’s

Do

Be polite and enthusiastic (stating the obvious here) the more enthusiastic you are, the more you will gain out of your work experience. Some internships lead to permanent positions, so don’t just think you can sit on Facebook all day and expect to be hired at the end of your internship. You need to prove your worth.

Be willing to learn and take on work – This doesn’t mean take on everything someone throws at you, if it’s not been approved by your Manager, make sure they are aware you’re doing it. You may be an intern but you’re not a general dogs body.

Network – Internships are a great way to network and meet people you wouldn’t usually get the chance to. If your workplace hosts networking events, go along! You never know who you might meet and what doors may open for you.

Keep an eye out for future opportunities within the company, make sure you express your interest as soon as positions arise.

Don’t

Don’t be lazy and not complete your work properly. Your work is important to the company, otherwise you wouldn’t be there. Demonstrate your ability and go the extra mile to achieve top results, nobody likes a slacker.

Turn up late (another obvious here), your manager may not be in the office when you get in, but I can guarantee they’ll hear about it. You’re an adult and capable of setting an alarm. Being late for work is a big No No.

Don't just make yourself a drink, offer everyone in your team one too. It may be a chore making 6 cups of tea and coffee in various different ways, but its office etiquette!

If you have any tips on how to boss an internship, let me know!

Monday 14 April 2014

On my radar

Sooo people, with Summer just around the corner it's definitely time for me to start looking into new lighter items of clothing and pretty accessories.

I thought I'd share with you a couple of bits and pieces currently at the top of my list.

Oh if only money grew on trees... Or clothes!


1. Mizzy Shorts by Motel

**Mizzy Short by Motel
Topshop - £35
I love the paisley print on these shorts and the shade of blue. I'm a big blue fan (in fact it's the colour dominating my wardrobe!) These would look super cute paired with a cami and some loafers.


2. Nike Pro Hypercool Compression Aerial


Nike Pro Hypercool Compression Aerial
Nike - £26

In other words a pretty damn cool sports bra. I've had my current sports bra for about 3 years now, it used to be white and now would definitely be classed as grey... I love Nike gear, so much so that all of my running kit is by Nike. Another item to add to the collection!


3. 'Gym and Tonic' Tote Bag


'Gym And Tonic' Tote Bag
Not on the Highstreet - £13.75

As a lover of G&T's and exercise this bag has my name all over it. I can already find multi purposes for this bag... Definitely top of the list! You can bag yourself (sorry) one of these from Not on the High Street.


4. Oversized Resin Bib Collar Necklace


Oversized Resin Bib Collar Necklace | White | Accessorize
Accessorize - £22
Super cute and would go perfectly with so many different outfits. You can't beat a good necklace and I love this bold and pretty pattern.


5. Office Karriage Navy Sued Loafers


Office Karriage Navy Suede - Flats
Office - £60
I love loafers! I'm a huge fan of these, comfy and stylish, everything I look for in a shoe!


6. Original Brit Cuff Welly Socks


Original Brit Cuff Welly Socks
Hunter - £30

These would go perfectly with my patent black Hungers and would be ideal for weekends at home in the country.

What's on your Summer wish list?

Sunday 13 April 2014

A Sunny Saturday in Some Jazzy Trousers

Doddington Hall is one of my favourite places to go for a day out in Lincoln. Situated in the Lincolnshire countryside, the Estate boasts beautifully kept gardens, a farm shop, cafe, restaurant and interiors shop.




In the winter, the Estate is transformed into a winter wonderland, with wreath making classes, a bauble barn to buy all of your Christmas decorations and of course...Christmas trees!

Spring time is my favourite time of year to visit, the flowers are in full bloom and the Kitchen garden is full of fresh vegetables and herbs.





A and I took a trip down to the Estate yesterday afternoon for a wander around the gardens and to soak up a bit of spring sunshine. I wore my new Jazzy polka dot cords from Joules LOVE, Jack Wills Crew (here's a similar one), Next Loafers and Sunglasses from Accessorize.





Cheeky

Happy Sunday everyone!

Saturday 12 April 2014

Super Tasty Turkey Burgers

I love a good burger. The combination of juicy meat, gooey melted cheese and sauce is to die for.

Looking for a healthier alternative to the standard Cheese and Bacon burger (which is oh so good, but oh so unhealthy) I stumbled across a recipe for chicken burgers which I have adapted, swapping the chicken for turkey and adding in a few extra's.

Not only are these low fat and super tasty, they're also really quick to make.

Now you can have your burger and eat it too.

For four, good sized turkey burgers you will need:

500g Turkey mince
1 Small white onion (finely sliced)
2 Medium size cloves of garlic (crushed)
2 Heaped teaspoons of Paprika
Cheddar cheese (As much or as little as you like)
Salt and pepper
Guacamole
Sour cream
Tomato salsa
Roll of your choice

Place the mince, onion, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper into a bowl and mix. Not with a spoon, roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. This is the fun part! Squelch around in that bowl until all of the ingredients are combined.


Next, add the cheese. The cheese really is optional, when I made these I split the mixture in half and made mine without and A's with. I didn't really measure the cheese, just kept grating until it covered the rests of the mixture, I was pretty generous!



Once combined, divide the mixture into 4 patties and place on a tray. Grill for about 8-10 minutes on each side, until the juices run clear and the burgers are steaming in the middle.

If you want to make your own guacamole, you can do so by throwing 1 avocado, 1 tomato, 1.5 cloves of garlic, a squeeze of lemon and some salt and pepper into a blender. Blitz until it reaches desired consistency. This is so quick, easy and delicious. You can create this mouth watering dip whilst your burgers are cooking and use the left overs for nachos (if there is any left!)



Now it's time to prepare the throne for your burger! Grab your roll and slice down the middle (I used a gluten free seeded roll, but you can use whatever you like) add a few lettuce leaves and smother in guacamole. Add your patty, a few generous dollops of sour cream and tomato salsa et voila!

That's one tasty burger fit for a Queen (or King, A hoovered his up before I'd taken 2 bites!)