MeetOurLateBrunch

As I mentioned a few posts ago, brunch is currently the latest foodie trend. However, according to my man it isn't even a "real meal", although he was quick to jump at the chance when it was my treat! It is rare we get a day off together, so we filled our bellies with brunch & managed to just catch the last bit of December sunshine shining against the Church...

Grey Cable-Knit jumper *latest buy* - Needle Boutique

Gold & Pearl earrings - Miss Selfridge (Sale)

Wet-look jeans - River Island

Burgundy & Gold Vintage Croc Handbag - My Vintage World (Thirsk, North Yorkshire)

Black Leather Chelsea Boots - Limited Edition New Look

My last post documented my trip to Harrogate to Country Living's Christmas Fair, where I bought many Christmas presents, got in the festive spirit & also picked up a few irresistible pieces for myself! This luxurious wool-blend grey cable knit jumper is one of them. Knocked down from £130 to £50, once I had it on I knew it wasn't coming off. And anyway, I haven't even bought a jumper for this season yet, so I needed this one! Designed in the UK & produced in Italy, the yarns used are the finest, & you can really feel the difference. I love supporting Young British Designers (particularly because I am one of them & I know the support is greatly appreciated!) as well as you know the products are something new & exciting, ready to break out into the big wide world!

Leather Jacket - H&M

Burgundy button-down t-shirt - Topman

Tan leather belt *Latest Buy* - Topman

Blue Jeans - Topman

Brown Suede Chelsea Boots - Kurt Geiger

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MeetMyFestivities

Happy December to you all! The last month of the year is finally here & even though it is full of memories from the past 11 months, now is the time to get in the Christmas spirit! A few months ago I spotted a Christmas stocking competition which Country Living Magazine was running. I was apprehensive as (in my eyes) it was too early to start making stockings, but I had a brain wave & I just couldn't resist. Little did I know that my entry would be good enough to go on tour with the Country Living team, being displayed at their 3 nationwide Christmas Fairs! I took a day trip to Harrogate to see my little penguin, get festive & stock up on some Christmas presents!

Even though my little penguin didn't quite make it to the top spot, (he was up against some tough competition, but you can see him in the bottom left hand corner) he was highly commended so I'm very happy with that! The fair was full of goodies, from exquisite home wares to decorate your houses from top to bottom, to foodie treats & homemade gifts...

When I reached this colourful stall full of fluffy hats & ponyhair clutches, I couldn't resist taking a closer look. I have been searching for the perfect pure white bobble hat for this winter, but was struggling with my search, until... 

Jacqueline Headlam's team of 2 hand makes all the vibrant products so beautifully that once I put my perfect hat on I just couldn't take it off. Keep an eye on an upcoming post to see my latest buy in all its glory...

And no trip to Harrogate is complete without a visit to Betty's Tearooms! Even if the queue of tourists is out the door & round the corner, just squeeze past into their quaint little tearoom shop where you can buy fresh bakes, aromatic teas & delicious preserves...

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MeetMyBlackFridayBrunch

Happy Black Friday everyone! Although across the pond, American traditions have seemed to travel this year in particular. Maybe it's just me getting older & more aware, or maybe it's just an excuse for sales & therefore lots of shopping... Either way I'm not complaining as I think it is great to celebrate worldwide traditions, especially with festive food & drink! On Wednesday evening I had the girls over for a Thanksgiving tea party, where we (rather stereotypically I'm afraid to say) stuffed ourselves with bagels & pecan pie. More to come on that soon though, because today's post is all about the Big B word.

Breakfast is by far my favourite meal of the day, it wakes you up, powers you up & prepares you for the day ahead. However a new Big B is in town. Brunch is the new big thing. Formerly known as a late (lazy) breakfast, brunch is best enjoyed after a nice snooze in bed. After having my fill of bacon & egg sandwiches over the years (let alone this week) I have decided to experiment with different, healthier versions of the must loved late-morning brunch. Bananas are my breakfast fruit of choice, with one almost always gracing the top of my porridge or toast. I wanted to create a warm brunch from what I had in the house, after all who wants to venture out into the elements when they have just peeled themselves out of bed? If you have the basics (bread, butter, milk, egg) you can really create this cross between bread & butter pudding & french toast with any flavours you wish. This morning however was Mr Banana's day to shine...

Banana Bread & Butter Brunch

Serves 2 (multiply ingredients to feed more mouths!)

100ml milk

1 egg

4 slices of bread (I used seeded for the extra energy)

Handful of sultanas

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp sugar (I used soft brown sugar)

1 tsp cinnamon (nutmeg could also be used)

A few drops of vanilla extract

Spread the butter over the bread & cut slices into 4 small triangles

Lay one layer of the bread in the ovenproof dish (you could use 2 small dishes like me or 1 large one)

Sprinkle with sultanas, cinnamon, banana slices & sugar

Top with another layer of bread

Beat egg, milk & vanilla extract together

Pour into dish & leave to soak for 30 minutes (whilst you get ready for the day & make a cup of tea!)

Bake at 180 for approx 25 mins

Grab a fork & enjoy!

What's your favourite brunch recipe?

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MeetMyAutumnFlowers&Fur

I was lucky to finding the last glimmer of remaining sun this afternoon (possibly in the whole of England) to snap this outfit as the champagne sheen of this dress really comes to life under the light. Today I've toughened up this vintage look with my trusty leather jacket (aka the one you can never remove from my shoulders) & my heeled booties to create a balanced Autumn day look for a lunch out with my Auntie. I think this dress would also be perfect for a candlelit dinner (talking about coming to life under lights) dressed up with strappy heels & bare legs, if I'm ever brave enough this time of the year. I'll get back to you on that one...

...White Fake Fur Stole - Miss Selfridge...

...Vintage Champagne Dress with Coral Flowers - Vintage (Retro Rehab)...

...Black Leather Heeled Booties - Clarks...

...Black Leather Jacket - Topshop...

...Black Leather Backpack - TK Maxx...

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MeetMyGiftGuideForTheModernMan

Gift buying for the opposite sex is always tricky, so I wanted to give a heads up ready for (get ready for the big C word)...Christmas. With my Man's Birthday falling in mid-September, I wanted to share with you a few gifts I got for him & some other items he is enjoying this month. Even though it is over 3 months away, Christmas is the next big event I will be gifting for, so gathering ideas all helps in the lead up to giving the perfect presents.

...For the Modern Gentleman...

Slowly gathering Gentlemanly items such as a leather briefcase & a sturdy umbrella, my man likes the classic things in life but with a different twist. So for his 23rd I decided to expand on the Gentleman theme by investing in a glass decanter (ready to be filled with his favourite Sailor Jerry's rum) & a squirrel printed shirt, a nod to one of his favourite animals & very fitting for this time of the year. Accompanied by a Peter Werth leather wallet which I luckily won in a giveaway ran by Hand Luggage Only Blog & Sean's latest literary purchase, all the components are here for the Modern Day Gentleman...

...Squirrel Print Shirt - Tucci...

...Glass Liqueur Decanter - eBay...

...'Guide for the Modern Gentleman' Book - Waterstones...

...Dark Brown Leather Wallet - Peter Werth, similar here...

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MeetMyAutumnCure

Being under the weather seems to be inevitable this time of the year, however a pain in the back is not what I was counting on! A wee sniffle or a sore throat is easy to deal with, however trying to support my back & stay active so it doesn't seize up is a little more tricky. So what cures darker evenings, a chill in the air & not feeling a hundred percent? Baking of course! Because baking (+ bananas) DOES cure everything...

Inspired by the autumnal feeling in the air, I wanted to create a homely bake (with only what I had in the cupboard) & stumbled over this wonderfully easy Banana Bread recipe by Sophie Dahl. Baked in a loaf tin, I lined mine with pleated baking parchment so when baked, I could fold the paper over itself & tie rustically with string to create a perfect individual package. Mine seemed to turn out a bit darker in colour than the recipe shows, so I would probably recommend turning the temperature down & just baking for a little while longer. Although my version did create a bite on the edges which complemented the soft banana centre nicely. So I'll leave it up to you!

Let me know your Banana Bread recipes!

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