Who likes short shorts?

I’ve never been one to play along with the seasons. The boy often believes my body temperature is completely unaffected by external conditions, leading to the affectionately termed ‘ice wall’ he often builds in bed with the duvet. Although today's weather has definitely managed to get through...

It’s good to see that fashion this season has also decided to brave the cold snap and has dared us to get our legs out, albeit from behind the relative safety of some thick black opaque tights.

During my somewhat lazy weekend, The Rhonda Shorts  from  French Connection became the latest welcome addition to my haphazardly chosen winter wardrobe.

The black cotton fabric of these little beauties sets off the vibrant pattern well without being too bold and makes them versatile and wearable. A concealed zip and flat double catch fastening adds to the flattering finish. Despite residing firmly in the ‘short-shorts’ camp, the generous cut glides over any lumps and bumps (I’m a size 12) providing a surprisingly sleek silhouette. Also available as a skirt version - but I believe shorts are more fun.


Their debut outing was dressed down for the local pub with a loose knit camel jumper from Topshop  and an old but much loved pair of skyscraper black studded suede ankle boots, accompanied of course with the obligatory tights (maybe two pairs for next time).

In case the evening evolved into a more suave affair, underneath the jumper nestled a skin tight scoop back body to add a hint of flesh and a vintage cameo with gold chain. Perfect pub to club attire.

As it happens, the ‘suave affair’ ended up being three people in my flat watching a DVD. But at least I was well prepared.

Image courtesy of French Connection.

Toon Pie

I hail from the glorious land of Newcastle Upon Tyne, synonymous with cold weather, topless football fans and of course, the nectar of the God's; Newcastle Brown Ale. This week my Sunday morning was spent fawning over  the delightful Cheryl while watching last nights repeat of The X Factor during which a few pangs of homesickness arose. This pie was indeed the perfect cure.

50g unsalted butter 

2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 

4 tbsp oil (I used olive oil) 

25g plain four 

3 tsp sweet paprika 

900g stewing steak 

2 white onions, roughly chopped 

150g button mushrooms 

2 carrots, roughly chopped 

400ml Newcastle Brown Ale 

300ml good beef stock 

1tbsp tomato puree 

1 bay leaf 

2 sprigs fresh thyme 

Salt and freshly ground black pepper 

300g of ready rolled puff pastry 

1 egg, beaten

Dry the meat in kitchen paper and sprinkle on flour paprika and ground black pepper and mix so all the meat is coated.

Heat the oil and half the butter to medium, in a large lidded pan and fry off the meat in small batches till the flour coating browns .

Place the batches of brown meat to one side as they become browned in the casserole

Next, using the same pan add the onion and garlic adding a little more oil if needs be. scrape the browned flour and juices on the bottom of the pan and mix with the veg as they fry until soft

Return the browned meat and its juices to the pan and add the mushrooms and carrots and cook until soft.

Stir in the tomato puree, so a paste is formed on the contents of the pan and then pour in the brown ale a little at a time so a sauce is formed by stirring through the casserole. Add the beef stock a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency

Sprinkle in the thyme and bay leave and salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a low simmer and leave on the stove for 1 1/2 hours. Checking on it occasionally

Once cooked, season the mixture and tip into an ovenproof serving dish. Brush the edge of the dish with the beaten egg.

Roll out the pastry Pinch the edges of the dish so that the pastry will stick to it and trim off any remaining pieces of pastry from around the edge.

With the trimmings and any other left over pastry, make your decorations. The Traditional left pattern works well (today I went for something slightly more creative to celebrate the Toon Army's victory  over Arsenal)

Brush the pastry top thoroughly with the remaining beaten egg and place on a baking tray. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the pastry is golden brown on top. Serve with a good helping of mash, Yorkshire pudding and a good old bottle of Dog.

. 

Bitter Sweets

        






Remember Remember…. to put this sparkling treat on the cocktail menu and you’ll be rewarded with plenty of oooh’s and ahhhh’s of your own against the backdrop of tonight’s fire works.

Serves 4-6, you will need:

4-6  white sugar cubes,

Angostura Bitters

Vanilla extract (not essence)

1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 bottle of medium-dry Champagne or  Cava

Sprinkle 2-3 drops of vanilla extract and 2 drops of Angostura Bitters onto each sugar cube and leave for 30 seconds.

Meanwhile squeeze 1tsp of lemon juice into into the bottom of each glass and  rub a wedge around the inside rim.

Drop one sugar cube into the middle of each glass and top up with the bubbly.

This works best in Coupe style champagne glass, if using a flute style glass give the sugar cube a gentle stir for 5 seconds just before serving.

As the bubbles disolve the sugar the drink becomes infused with a delicate sherbet flavour – delicious.

Serve with sparklers and a smile.

Pick me up's

Working in the Square Mile, it's a love hate relationship. I love that I can walk to work in no time at all, I love that I am never more then 10 paces away from a Pret A Manger whenever I feel the pang for one of their irresistible Bakewell Tarts...I hate that lunch hours rarely exist meaning any last minute clothing emergency buys involve a post work mission to the dreaded West End, or worse - Westfield (one bad experience visiting during Christmas with a hangover and I've never been back)

Luckily the clever bods over at Warehouse and Coast have developed a wonderfully simple 'Reserve and Collect' service where I can happily peruse the goods online, drop them into my virtual basket and request that they are put aside for me at the nearest store, happily both are located moments from my office door.

No payment is required until you collect in store, it's simply a reservation which will expire in 2 working days if the items are not collected. What could be better then combining the convenience of online browsing with the 'no-commitment' option of in store shopping?

With Pay-day panic taking over my brain last week, I eagerly indulged myself and reserved some treats online, admittedly expecting a slow response...to my surprise I received a text from both stores moments later letting me know that the items I had my beady eye on were ready when I was. Perfect.

Here are some pics of the goodies which later made up my hassle free, very last minute Friday night outfit

 Button Dress - Warehouse.com

 Christa Bracelet - Coast.com


The service is currently available in selected stores but will be being rolled out nationwide soon.

All images from Coast.com and Warehouse.com