I’ve had such a busy week that I’m just taking some time out to chill with the family ahead of our Midsummer celebrations tomorrow. Normal posting will resume soon (I hope). In the meantime, I wish you all a very happy Friday! ♥
Interior Inspiration: Outdoor Living
The sun is set to make a welcome reappearance this weekend and immediately my thoughts turn to sprucing up our rather neglected garden. This time last year I was tentatively stretching my non-green fingers by planting pots full of vibrant flowers and clearing the borders from weeds and other debris like broken toys and ice cream wrappers that the children casually toss aside despite my admonitions. But this year, in between working and trying my best to keep up with everything else going on (I seem to be getting at least two emails a day from each of my sons’ schools about more things that need to be crammed in before the end of term) I simply haven’t had the time. To be fair, my husband has been doing a good job of mowing the lawn regularly and cutting back the big plants and shrubs, but he tends to leave the prettifying to me. Looking at these pictures, maybe this will be the weekend when I add a few decorative touches like potted flowers, hanging baskets, lanterns and string up some pretty coloured lights.
{Striped hammock from Nordic House}
{Large aged flower pot from Nordic House}
{Garden candle torches from Nordic House}
{Decorative zinc lantern from Nordic House}
{Striped rocking deckchair from Graham and Green}
{Dean St table and armchairs from Graham and Green}
{Solvinden solar-powered lighting chain from Ikea}
{Picture from Ikea}
{Picture from Ikea}
Recipe: Fish Soup with Homemade Aioli
“Soup!?” I hear you say, “in the middle of summer?!”
And you’re right, I probably wouldn’t choose to have this for lunch on a scorching hot day but eaten, as we did, at the end of a rainy summer’s day, it was simply delicious. Just add some crisp salad, crusty bread (gluten free in our case) and a glass of chilled white wine and you have the perfect light supper.
Recipe:
Serves 4
2 cod fillets, cut into cubes
3 salmon fillets, cut into cubes
1 onion
1 garlic clove
A generous handful of cooked prawns
1 tin of tomato soup (around 500g)
300ml double cream
150ml water
salt & pepper
Finely chop the onion and garlic and fry in butter in a saucepan. Add the water and cream and bring to the boil. Add the fish and allow to simmer over a medium heat for around 5-10 minutes (depending on the size of the fish pieces). Pour over the tomato soup, season with salt and pepper and simmer for a while longer. Add the prawns and allow to heat through.
Aioli:
1 egg yolk
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
A pinch of salt
2-3 garlic cloves
Approx 200ml neutral oil (eg rapeseed oil)
Mix together egg yolk, vinegar, mustard and salt in a bowl. Whisk with an electric whisk and add the oil gradually. Continue to whisk until all the oil is added and the mixture has the texture of a thick mayonnaise. Add a small amount of water (approx 1/2-1 tbsp) and whisk some more so it becomes whiter and looser. Add the garlic using a garlic crusher and refrigerate the aioli for a while before serving.
The Daily Wear #4
{1969 Destructed Real Straight Jeans – Gap ♥ Bracelet – Dyrberg Kern ♥ Slingback Wedges – Topshop ♥ OPI nailpolish in No Room for the Blues ♥ Burnout Raglan Tee – Topshop}
While being short (5’2″ in my case) has some advantages – like being able to buy clothes from the children’s section in H&M and never ever having to worry about towering over your other half when wearing heels – there are also some major drawbacks. I have been desperate to get hold of some distressed jeans but all the ‘regular’ ones seems to have been made for all you peeps with lovely long legs. I tried a few on (from Zara, J Brand and Current Elliott) but they all looked really strange on me as rips that should have been on the knee ended up halfway down my calf.
Normally my go-to denim brand is Paige – their Skyline Ankle Peg style is just the right length and fit for shorties like me, but they didn’t have any distressed styles. Then I came across these Gap 1969 Destructed Real Straight Jeans, which are also available in an ‘ankle’ length. Only problem was, my size was out of stock both online and in every London store (I had my poor husband check all the Gap stores on Oxford Street and rang the others myself) until last week when they suddenly flashed up on the website and I managed a snag a pair before they sold out again. The fit is not quite as good as my Paige jeans but then again they’re only a third of the price and I can easily see them becoming my perfect summer staple.
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Life Lately
Sorry about the lack of updates but the weather here in the UK has been too good lately for me to want to spend any more time than necessary in front of a computer. There was some drizzle and rain over the weekend but next week looks set to be nice again, albeit slightly cooler than last week which is not necessarily a bad thing. Soaring temperatures and long school days often result in frazzled tempers by mid-afternoon.
{Breakfast in the sunshine. Why does food taste so much better when eaten outside?}
{New sandals for Clemmie – pink of course!}
{I’m trying to encourage the children to help out more with the housework so hopefully before long Cameron hoovering the kitchen won’t be such a rare sight.}
{Two little monkeys ♥ }
{On Friday I took the day off work and Clemmie and I went to Peppa Pig World with my friend and her daughter. It was the perfect day out for two Peppa obsessed three year olds and the girls loved every minute. And promptly fell asleep the minute we got in the car to go back home!}
{Today was Father’s Day and the daddy in our family was treated to a cooked breakfast and lots of cards and presents – including a rather fetching Daddy Pig mug chosen by Clemmie.}
{Breakfast was followed by a trip to the golf store so he could choose his main gift – a new golf bag.}
Hope you have all had a lovely weekend! Are you watching the World Cup? I saw the amazing Spain-Holland match on Friday and watched half of England’s first match last night. X
Linked In
1. Visiting the city of romance? Here are the Top ten things to do in Paris
2. If you’re in need of a pick-me-up just click here: 21 quotes from funny women that will make your day
3. The ultimate summer fruit in my opinion: 17 ways to eat more strawberries
4. Pearls have shaken off their fuddy duddy image and are being embraced by the fashion set. The modern way to wear pearls
5. Funny and probably very true: 13 things we Brits get completely wrong about the USA
6. This calorie laden sweet treat is on my ‘must make ‘ list: Potluck Oreo Bars
The Daily Wear #3
{Topshop Jersey tunic dress ♥ Miu Miu Wooden mules (my favourite summer shoes – at least ten years old!) ♥ H&M Cropped leggings ♥ Bracelet and necklace by Dyrberg Kern ♥ Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Baby Groovee bag}
The Beauty Edit: Summer Wishlist
Summer is finally here and it’s time to ditch the heavy makeup and opt instead for a lighter, more natural look. As much as I love an opulent smoky eye and decadent red lip, it just doesn’t look right on sunny evenings. Here are some of the beauty products I’m planning to invest in this season:
1 Dior ‘Nail Glow’ – A slightly pink nail polish that enhances the natural colour of your nails to give them a light, healthy sheen.
2. St Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil – A moisturising non-greasy formula that gives a long lasting natural looking tan.
3. Laura Mercier Body Butter in Almond Coconut Milk – I always associate the smell of coconut with summer and this body butter is the ultimate in luxurious skincare.
4. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose – A lighter version of my favourite fragrance that comes in a bottle “inspired by the iridescent wings of a butterfly”. What’s not to love?
5. Nars Matte Multiple in Anguilla – A non-sparkly version of the cult cheek & lip stick in a selection of vibrant and sun-kissed shades.
6. Clarins Rouge Eclat in Juicy Clementine – The perfect lipstick for fair-skinned people like myself who want to embrace this summer’s trend for orange lips. Plus the name reminds me of my lovely daughter!
7. Mac Prep + Prime Highlighter – A pen-style highlighter that can be used over or under makeup to add radiance and a sheer wash of colour.
8. Ghd White Eclipse – I know it’s not great for my hair but I use my ghd hair straightener every day. This new version promises to style your hair in a single stroke while actually making it stronger.
Five on Friday
{We had some friends over for dinner last weekend and finally cracked open the big bottle of prosecco that my husband got for his birthday back in October!}
{Now that the kids are back at school we have had some lovely sunny weather (typical!) so there have been quite a few trips to the park. Clemmie was really scared of going on the swings for a while but now she’s got over her fear and is even happy on the ‘big’ swing. She looks grumpy here because she wanted me to stop taking pictures and push her instead!}
{Our dinner guests brought some beautiful flowers that have been brightening up my work space this week.}
{When it comes to food, every week is the same for me. I start off with good intentions and make healthy meals like this smoked salmon and goats cheese salad for lunch…}
{…and then, come 4pm, I inevitably give in to my sugar cravings. At least these apple crumble muffins are homemade AND have fruit in them! Marginally healthier than chocolate methinks.}
Hope you have a fantastic weekend! X
Recipe: Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti Carbonara is one of those classic dishes that everyone seems to have a slightly different recipe for, although the basics (eggs, pancetta, parmesan) remain the same. My husband makes ‘proper’ Carbonara without the cream, instead adding white wine and a sprinkling of nutmeg as per Nigella Lawson’s recipe. It’s very tasty but I’m pleased to say that the kids prefer my version! In fact, this is my eldest son’s favourite dish and he always requests it on special occasion or when he is having a friend over for tea.
Ingredients (serves 3-4):
400g Spaghetti
3 Egg yolks
100ml Double cream
75ml Creme fraiche
75g Finely grated parmesan
Black pepper
150g Cubed smoked pancetta
1 tbsp Olive oil
25g Butter
Method:
1. Boil the pasta in a pan of water with a bit of olive oil according to the packet instructions.
2. In a bowl combine the egg yolks, double cream, creme fraiche, parmesan and a good grinding of black pepper.
3. Fry the pancetta in the olive oil until it starts to crisp and remove from the heat until the pasta has cooked.
4. When the spaghetti is ready, drain and return it to the saucepan. Tip over the pancetta and butter.
5. Keeping the pan on a very low heat, pour over the egg mixture and stir it through until it thickens and coats all the strands of spaghetti.
6. Serve immediately with extra parmesan and black pepper.
A Spoonful of Style 