5 festive things I've done in December

I'm usually a bit of a scrooge at Christmas. I blame the working in retail and hospitality for eight years - it drained every ounce of festive spirit I once had. But this year I am LOVING December. It helps that so much has happened already this month. Have a read at why I'm basically Father Christmas this year.

1. Christmas lights in London
Every year I absolutely adore seeing the Christmas lights in the city. There's just something about walking down a manic Oxford Street, bundled up in a scarf and gloves in the pitch black staring at the twinkling lights above. This year, as always, a personal highlight were the Carnaby Street - they are incredible. Always unique each year and so bright and colourful. This year seems like they followed a slight Japanese theme and the bright pink disco balls are delightfully tacky. As every good Christmas decoration should be.

2. Early Christmas dinners
Back in November, AO.com very kindly gave me my first Christmas themed dinner of the year alongside GBBO Flora Snedden to help up create our own canapés. We had an absolutely delicious three course meal consisting with the most incredible meringues for dessert. The table had the perfect festive theme and was a fantastic way to see in the holiday season. At the weekend I went out with my friends for our annual Christmas dinner gathering so it was lots of turkey and prosecco for me! I can never have too many mince pies or pigs in blankets at this time of year!

3. Christmas with Thorntons
One of the best things about Christmas is the abundance of chocolate that appears and tends to last until February. If you're stuck for ideas this year for some stocking fillers or last minute gifts, try the Thorntons Gift Finder. Fill out a few questions and voila you'll have so many ideas for that special person and you'll be in their good books all year round. Perfect!

4. Christmas Flowers
Blossoming Gifts got in touch and asked if I fancied an early Christmas present. Who could resist an offer like that? I absolutely love fresh flowers in the house and fancied something with a festive theme. If you can't go all out at Christmas, then when can you?! I struck gold with this pretty Cinnamon Spice bouquet. Featuring gorgeous smelling cinnamon sticks, perfectly festive berries and stunning grand prixred roses mixed together in a bunch, they have cheered up my bedroom in these gloomy days. When it comes to dark nights, you need all the help you can get! And they match our Christmas tree this year so winners all round. Nothing quite like waking up to a beautiful floral scent every morning. I always find their bouquets last well over a week too so they're well worth the money. If cinnamon isn't your thing, there's plenty of other bouquets to choose from that feel just as festive. Red always looks so classy during the festive season.

Fancy your own bunch? Enter BGIFTS33 at the check out to get a special 33% discount off all flowers apart from Flowers By Post. Go on, treat yourself! Next day delivery is until 23rd December so you have plenty of time to treat someone or yourself to something special.

5. Festive baking
I've been really enjoying getting my bake on this month. My December hasn't been as busy as it normally is - maybe I'm losing friends - so it's meant I could really get stuck into being in kitchen. So far I've rustled up some sticky toffee puddings and some mince pie cupcakes with lots more on the horizon! I've got a delicious new fudge recipe on my Youtube channel too. It makes perfect stocking fillers.

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Christmas gift guide: bath time gift sets

Christmas shopping is in full swing now we're nearing the middle of December. Eeeeek! But with the gifting season comes re-gifting. Hands up if you have a drawer in your house that you pop the toiletries sets in that aren't quite your taste. Then pass them over to some other poor soul or the raffle. I know I'm guilty of this! I already have the Peppermint duo and can confirm it smells absolutely delicious.

I've put together a gift guide full of bath time gift sets that no one will ever think twice of passing on to someone else! Everything is £30 and under too. BARGAIN!

1. Ren Skincare - £18
2. Cowshed Mixed Trio - £24
3. Philosophy Peppermint Stick Duo - £18.50
4. Cath Kidston Rose Wash Bag Gift Set - £20
5. Neals Yard Remedies Revitalise Organic Shower Collection - £12.50
6. Jo Malone London English Pear and Freesia Bath Salts - £30
7. Orla Kiely Mini Geranium Travel Set - £15
8. Cath Kidston Flora Indulgent Bathing Set - £19.80
9. L'Occitane Delicate Cherry Blossom Bath & Body collection - £30
10. Benefit 'Maybe Baby' Darling Duo Bodycare Gift Set - £25.65

Post written in collaboration with Mira Showers.

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Video: Festive Flapjacks with Whitworths

After over five years of blogging, I decided it was about time I dipped my toe into Youtube when Whitworths asked me to create a festive recipe. The result was some amazing, fruity flapjacks filled with all the best Christmas spices.

It was a little shaky and I know exactly how I'm going to improve next time but I'm really proud of it. It was a lot of trail and error but a whole lot of fun. Have a look at the video and let me know what you think!

I would be over the moon if you gave my channel a little subscribe, I've got lots more videos planned in the future - including a vlog at Kew Gardens and another baking recipe within the next week.

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Cath Kidston S/S '16 preview

Spring/Summer in December? What a rebel I am! A good few weeks ago now I popped along to the Cath Kidston press preview. Boy are we in for a treat when it hits the stores next year! As always the new collection was full of stunning florals, pretty homeware, gorgeous pastels and quirky crockery. I didn't expect anything less.

Apart from wanting to get my hands on every single baking related product - I've been warned to take control of my addiction by the boyfriend - what really stood out for me were the things against the norm. Cath Kinston is, of course, famous for it's florals, none more so than on it's handbags. I personally prefer a block colour in a bag to help keep it neutral. So I was very happy to see the plain cross body bags on display above. I may have to treat myself to one. Just one.

Are you a fan of Cath Kidston? Anything in particular you want to snap up?

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Review: Le Bun at The Zetter Hotel, Clerkenwell, London

Founded by bright sparks Andy Taylor and Tim Talbolt, Le Bun is a fusion of French and American food. They're usually based in a food truck but until 20th December they have a residence at The Zetter hotel, Clerkenwell.

The burger queen Hannah of course knew all about the pop up so when I suggested a lunch date, this was her first suggestion. We also talked Lily into popping along too - not that anyone needs much persuasion to go out for a lovely lunch!

After much deliberation Hannah and I decided to opt for the Le Truffle Cheeseburger. Rich aged beef brisket and chuck patty was smothered in a layer of American cheese and truffle mayo before being topped with crunchy lettuce leaves in a toasted brioche bun. It was simple yet effective. Sometimes you really don't need to make a burger all singing and all dancing. The bun held the juices together perfectly and the lettuce gave it a satisfying crunch. My one gripe was it wasn't really served medium rare and would have been better a bit pinker in the middle.

Lily went for the Le Cherve vegetarian option. A giant slab of blowtorched goats cheese was placed on top of tangy pickles and juicy confit tomatoes. Good enough to turn this loyal meat eater green with envy!

The fries were nothing to write home about. They went down a treat but didn't stand out. A tad anaemic looking but the truffle mayo was their saving grace. I could have scoffed pots and pots of that stuff!

The Zetter hotel as a venue was very cool - admittedly this is the first time it's ever came on my radar. It felt very retro and I loved the interiors. I've heard that they have a cracking bar with some lethal cocktails so I'll probably be back to sample those!

Have you sampled Le Bun yet?

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3 simple ways to eat your morning porridge

Now that the days are cold and dark, a bowl of cereal in the morning just isn't going to cut it. I personally need something a bit more substantial and warm to heat up my chilly bones. Enter the humble porridge. Alpro got in touch and sent me over a little care package* including their oat original drink. Rich in fibre and low in fat, the milk substitute has no added sugar and is naturally lactose free. With this healthy alternative, here are three simple toppings that help to jazz up my porridge in the morning.

1. Blackcurrant jam and juicy blackberries

Nothing quite like a big dollop of jam in the middle of your porridge to sweeten it up. That sweet tooth still needs to be fed at breakfast! I'm loving blackcurrant jam for a change. It doesn't taste as sugary as strawberry or raspberry. Pop in some fresh fruit help you get one of your five a day.

2. Apple and cinnamon

This combination just screams the festive season to me. I'm a cinnamon monster this year and put it on everything. Apples and cinnamon are one pairing that just get each other. They go fantastic together.

3. Chopped nuts and bananas

This may be my favourite one of the bunch. The chopped nuts add great texture with the stodgy oats. Bananas? Maybe the best breakfast fruit out there right. I could eat a good couple of bowls of this before work if I had time. And a big enough stomach.

What is your favourite porridge topping?

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Recipe: Mince pie cupcakes with Lindt

I'm well and truly emerged in the Christmas spirit now so decided to bake up a storm in the kitchen. Enter Mince Pie Cupcakes with Lindt chocolate teddy bear toppers* because we all need a little bit more indulgence in the festive period. I had a feeling these would spectacularly fail or be positively amazing! Thank god it was the latter. The recipe is adapted from my new favourite baking book Lola's Forever.

Makes 6 muffins or 10 smaller cupcakes

Ingredients:
140g self raising flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg
150g soft baking spread
75g soft light brown sugar
75g soft dark brown sugar
3 eggs
175g mince meat

Cream cheese icing:
60g butter
1 tsp of vanilla flavouring
1/2 ground cinnamon
175g icing sugar
400g cheese cheese

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

2. Shift the flour, baking powder and spices into a bowl before setting aside.

3. Put the butter and sugars into a bowl and beat the mixture until it is light and fluffy.

4. Continue mixing and add the eggs one at a time. Add the mincemeat and mix until fully combined.

5. Slowly add the shifted dry ingredients and mix until fully combined.

6. Divide the mixture between the muffin cases - filling them 3/4 full.

7. Bake in the pre-heated for around 20-25 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on them. pop a sewer in them to see if they're baked, it should come out completely clean if they're ready.

Cream cheese icing:

1. Beat the butter until smooth then add the cinnamon and vanilla.

2. Shift in the icing sugar and then add the cream cheese and beat until it's smooth and glossy. be careful not to overmix!

3. Decorate the cupcakes once cooled and add a little teddy bear on top. Then tuck in!

Eat alongside plenty of chocolate. The Lindt chocolate reindeer* and Father Christmas* went down a treat. What's Christmas without a little indulgence?

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Review: Minster Court Gin Tasting, City of London

Back in October I was invited along to Minster Court to try my hand at gin tasting with Sipsmith. Deep in the heart of the city, Minster Court is a short walk away from Monument station and tucked away downstairs. Despite being downstairs, it didn't feel claustrophobic and there was plenty of room to wander around. I find city bars can sometimes make me feel like a sardine!

As we settled down to hear from the gin connoisseur, we were presented with cocktails and a plate of delicious nibbles. Spicy potato wedges, battered prawns, crispy spring rolls, moreish chicken goujons and sticky cocktail sausages. Just the ticket to line our stomaches before some serious tasting!

Sipsmith is a small independent distillery based in West London - who knew! They launched the first copper still, Prudence, in London for nearly 200 years. She is one of a kind and you won't find her anywhere else in the world.

As someone who has only recently gotten into the wonders of gin, I'm no expert on the matter but I know what I like. I happened to like Sipsmith very much. The sloe gin was absolutely amazing - the perfect Christmas drink in my opinion. The alcohol went down smoothly and made me feel all warm inside - no scrunched up faces needed when this was drunk neat. Surely the sign of a very good gin?

Thanks so much for a lovely evening Minster Court and Sipsmith!

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Why London is the greatest city in the world

I've always had such a deep love and fascination with the bright lights of London. At the tender age of four I insisted I wanted to go to London and see the dinosaurs for my birthday. At the age of 11, I was adamant that all I wanted to do was work in the city. At the age of 21, I interned at various publications soaking up everything the big smoke had to offer. Finally at the age of 23 I got a job in central London. After a little blip I'm back commuting every day from Essex and I honestly couldn't be happier. London is where I'm meant to be. It's the city that captured my imagination and nothing has ever quite lived up to it.

I've been lucky enough to travel and see so many cities. New York, Barcelona, Berlin and Chicago have all left a footprint on my heart. But nothing has fully captured it hook, line and sinker quite like London.

This city chews you up and spits you back out with a vengeance. The city is all-comsuming, exhausting, aggressive, unapologetic and fierce. The people are rude, the streets can be dirty, the weather is truly awful, the tube makes me want to bang my head against the wall repeatedly and tourists insist on not walking down the left side of the escalator. But it's also the most magical place in the world. I still feel awestruck as I wander through the winding streets, pride when I see the city put on a show, goosebumps as I soak up the the history of yesteryear and emotional looking out at the thames after a bottle of wine. It's got such a colourful past in every corner and such thirst for life. It's a place where you can be anyone you want to be and no one ever bats an eyelid. The world is your oyster. Communities from all over the world have come together and made it their own. The melting pot of cultures that bubbles on every street helps to make it wonderful. It's a city that always feel so alive, so eager and so vibrant.

There's nowhere else quite like it. London is quite simply the greatest city in the world.

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OOTD: Cream faux fur coat

Outfit:
Cream faux fur coat: Primark (similar)
Floral silky longline shirt: Boohoo*
Black skinny jeans: New Look (similar)
Cobalt blue studded heels: Dorothy Perkins (similar)
Black leather Bayswater bag: Mulberry 

Despite my boyfriend asking me if I was feeling a bit sheepish when I met him wearing this coat, I'm very glad it's finally cold enough to bring it out of storage. The best £25 I ever spent in Primark. And it's lasted more than one season which is always a bonus with that shop! I wore this for a burger lunch date with Hannah and Lily before mooching around the V&A museum. Pretty perfect Wednesday if you ask me! I'm now back at work, back commuting and back spending my days in London. So long week off! Now it's all full steam ahead until Christmas. How on earth is is December already?

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Taste of London Festival with ASDA

A few weeks ago ASDA got in touch to see if I wanted a couple of tickets to enjoy the Taste of London Festival. They were showing off the UK's first ever edible Christmas house as the official supermarket sponsor of the event. Pretty cool eh? If you scroll down you'll spot the incredible house.  Cabbage and broccoli made up the garden, a sausage roll wreath hung on the door, giant pies made up the bricks alongside a staggering 1000 potatoes. There was even a prosecco wishing well next door - definitely something I could get on board with!

So what was the rest of the festival like? Blooming good! Set in the cool, industrial venue of Tobacco Dock - useless trivia, my darling dad actually did the roof when he was younger! - it was a maze of delicious food stalls. After we purchased our crowns - the official currency - we set off to feed our fat faces.

First off we made a beeline for Gordon Ramsey's Maze Grill. Promising juicy beef brisket topped with pickles and cabbage slaw, it seem worth waiting in line for. And it most certainly was! Washed down with a potent Pogues whisky cocktail, we set off in search of some prosecco. Obviously taking advantage of the free samples along the way!

It was such a brilliant day and my mum and I returned home with bursting at the seams and a little bit merry. It may have resulted in having to go to bed at 8pm... We came home with lots of the above fudge for Christmas presents and some delicious pink prosecco to open on the special festive day. Job well done I say.

Thanks so much for the tickets ASDA!

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