Wednesday, 31 October 2012

A Wedding Dress For A Budget Bride


It has been a while since I had a wedding dress for the budget bride to show you, and believe me I have been searching every week. Thankfully I have now managed to find a stunner for less than £500 to share with you. 

Today I have this gorgeous Notte By Marchesa gown which I found at The Outnet.



Notte by Marchesa


This white silk-georgette gown has been reduced by 60% from £1025 to £410, what an amazing buy! 

The dress is fully lined, has boned sides, draped and pleated with a crystal and bead embellishment to the side of the waistline. 

How gorgeous would this be for a wedding abroad?

Teresa x

And The Winner Is…...


Two weeks ago we launched a competition for one of our lucky readers to win these gorgeous hair flowers for your wedding day. This pair of ivory silk flowers are made by Faye Barker for Dreams and Diamantes wedding collection.

flowers

And today I have the great pleasure in announcing the winner of these pretty hair flowers, drumroll please…………

Congratulations to Rachel Simmons

Please get in touch and I shall forward your contact details to Faye at Dreams and Diamantes who will have your Floretta flowers made ready for you and sent in the post. Make sure you send us a photo of you wearing them at your wedding in June.

Well done

Teresa x

Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Our Top 10 Handbag Picks


Whether it be designer or high street, we love handbags. A girl can never have enough handbags! We need to have a handbag to suit every occasion, glamorous or casual, big or small. I honestly believe a handbag can make or break an outfit - it is the finishing touch.

As we reach for our winter coats we need to have a stylish bag to suit and I have been searching the shops for what's hot right now. There are some absolute stunners and here are our top ten picks to suit every budget.

marc jacobs handbag
Marc by Marc Jacobs leather tote, £530
McQ clutch
McQ Alexander McQueen leather-trimmed tartan twill pouch, £120
Victoria Beckham tote mini
Victoria Beckham tote mini, £1750
anthropologie chevron
Anthropologie gypset chevron satchel, £248
Dolce Gabbana tote
Dolce & Gabbana medium tote bag, £1434


As much as I would love to own a Victoria Beckham tote (need to rob a bank before I will be able to afford one!) I really am liking the ASOS leather metal plate tote for £75. It is simple, stylish and will look super chic on a winter shopping trip.

Which bag would you love to own?

Teresa x 

Monday, 29 October 2012

Winter Warming Recipes


How cold were you at the weekend? It's been ruddy freezing here in Leicester! My husband nearly leapt out of bed when I placed my cold feet on his legs last night.

I do love this time of year though, I love the freshness of the cold air and the stunning autumnal colours as we prepare to hibernate for winter. My hibernation involves blankets on the sofa and eating lots of winter warming foods. It's all about indulgence for me.

There's nothing better than devouring some comfort food when it's freezing, dark and wet outside. If you have been struggling to get warm in the evening then tuck into one (or all three) of my favourite recipes. They will soon have you glowing like the Ready Brek kid.

Teresa x

Red Lentil, Chickpea and Chilli Soup


INGREDIENTS

2 tsp cumin seeds
One large pinch of chilli flakes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, chopped
140g red split lentils
850ml vegetable stock or water
400g can tomatoes , whole or chopped
200g carton chickpeas or ½ a can, rinsed and drained
Small bunch coriander , roughly chopped (save a few leaves, to serve)
4 tbsp 0% Greek yogurt, to serve


This soup is so easy to make and the best bit, it's low in fat!

1.  Get a large saucepan, heat it up and dry-fry the cumin seeds and chilli flakes for one minute, or until 
     they start to jump around the pan. 

2.   Now add the olive oil and red onion and cook for five minutes. 

3.   Stir in the lentils, stock and tomatoes.  As soon as they are boiling then allow them to simmer for 15  
      minutes until the lentils have softened.

4.   Place into a food processor or use a stick blender and whizz until it is a rough purée.

5.   Pour back into the pan and add the chickpeas.

6.   Heat gently, season well and stir in the coriander. 

7.   Serve with a dollop of yoghurt and decorate with a few coriander leaves.

soup
Source - BBC Good Food


Sausage, Mushroom and Guinness Casserole


INGREDIENTS


1 tbsp vegetable oil
16 good-quality pork and herb sausages
2 large onions, sliced
2 celery sticks, chopped
12 rashers smoked streaky bacon, chopped
2 tbsp plain flour
2 tbsp tomato purée
330ml bottle Guinness
300ml beef stock, hot
250g chestnut mushrooms, halved
3 tbsp fresh parsley leaves, to garnish

This is my number one recipe for winter. I love it! Whenever I make a pot of this casserole I always save some to put in the freezer and eat another day. 


1.  You can grill your sausages to brown them but I tend to cook them through with a little oil in the
     large casserole pan. Takes about 8 minutes to brown them over.

2.  Once the sausages are brown you need to remove from the pan and set aside. Now add the onions, 
     celery and bacon to the casserole and cook for 6-8 minutes until softened and stir intermittently.

3.  Add the flour and tomato purée and cook for one minute. 

4.  Pour in the Guinness, bring to the boil and cook for 2 minutes, until reduced. 

5.  Add the beef stock and bring back to the boil.

6.   Place the sausages back in to the casserole pan along with the mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes, 
      stirring occasionally and season to taste.

7.   If you are going to be saving some of this casserole for the freezer then you need to transfer the 
      amount of mixture to a freezer-proof container now. Cool, then label and freeze. 

8.   Return the remaining mixture to the heat and simmer for a further 10 minutes, until the sausages are 
      cooked and the sauce has thickened. The perfect accompaniment to this winter dish is mashed 
      potato and savoy cabbage. ENJOY!


Vanilla Rice Pudding


INGREDIENTS

650 ml whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
55g sugar
120g short grain rice
Zest from 1/2 lemon
Pinch of salt
Ground cinnamon for sprinkling
This is a much needed cuddle in a bowl. No doubt once you have polished off a bowl of this pudding you will be sound asleep within minutes. This is proper comfort food! 


1.  Place the milk and vanilla essence in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until it starts to
     steam.

2.  Pour in the rice and stir gently. Turn the heat up slightly and cook for 5 minutes stirring 
     occasionally.

3.  When you notice the rice grains are starting to swell you need to place the lid onto the saucepan and 
     lower the heat.

4.   For the next 7 minutes keep an eye on the rice and stir occasionally. 

5.  Once rice is cooked, remove saucepan from heat and add the sugar, lemon zest and a pinch of salt. 
     Stir gently then serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

rice pudding
Source

Friday, 26 October 2012

This Week's High Street Hitlist


Happy Friday lovely readers! As always, the weekend can only mean one thing - it's time to flex those credit cards and get shopping. Sorry for encouraging you with our weekly high street hitlist, but there are so many lovely things out there that it just has to be done.

This week, there are plenty of bits and pieces which will have you looking ultra chic for winter. My favourite drops this week? The vintage print dress from ASOS, Topshop's floral lace top, Miss Selfridge's stunning white lace insert shirt and Mango's zigzag jumper.


Enjoy your weekend,

Teresa x

ZARA


zara cape coat
Cape coat, £129
Zara jacket
Combined cardigan, £59.99
Zara shirt
Blouse with appliqué collar, £29.99
sara military dress
Military dress, £49.99


TOPSHOP

velvet dress
Crushed velvet midi dress, £34
neon ring
Fluro clash round ring, £8.50
triangle tee
Double triangle t-shirt by Illustrated People, £35

jewel collar dress
Jewel collar dress, £49
tapestry floral top
Tapestry floral lace top, £36

embellished tee
Crystal placement tee, £38

topshop jeans
Funnel skinny biker jeans, £38

TOPSHOP LEATHER NECKLACE
Leather plait collar, £15
topshop boots
Arelia stud strap western boots, £90
topshop ombre dress
Ombre slinky print midi dress, £40
oh my love jacket
PU jacket by Oh My Love, £55

ASOS

asos wiggle dress
Pencil dress in wiggle shape, £38

jaeger dress
Boutique by Jaeger - Sally dress, £99
asos shirt
Denim shirt with studded collar and yoke, £45
vintage print dress ASOS
Wiggle dress in vintage wallpaper print, £45
rabbit dress
Rabbit print dress, £30



OASIS



oasis bowler bag
Deco mode colourblock bowler, £35

MISS SELFRIDGE 

miss selfridge coat
Black and white textured coat, £80
lapel blazer
PU Lapel blazer, £47
miss selfridge blouse
Pintuck lace insert shirt, £35
batwing jumper
Fluffy sleeve batwing jumper, £37

WAREHOUSE

Thursday, 25 October 2012

Glam Up Your Autumn/Winter Style


Just because the weather is dull doesn't mean our outfits have to be dreary too. Why not jazz things up and add a touch of glamour? You don't have to go out and buy a designer dress; simply adding a luxe accessory can lift your look dramatically.

Today I have put together the best accessories that money can buy, all of which you will definitely get your wear out of therefore making them a worthwhile purchase. Accessories can be worn or used time and time again giving every outfit a different twist.

Ahem, men if you are reading this then please take note, any of the following items would make a lovely Christmas present for the special lady in your life!

Teresa x


Take a walk on the wild side and be bold with animal print accessories. Wearing a pair of these stylish wellington boots is the perfect excuse to go out splashing in puddles.



To really up the ante for some much needed glamour then indulge your look with a splash of bronze and gold.
Bronze & Golds
 Mulberry Bayswater sparkle croc finish, £1400 / Michael Kors Diamanté drop earrings, £89  
MARC BY MARC JACOBS Pavé ring, £60
 / Michael Kors watch-link two-toned bracelet, £165

Sloan python-print clutch, £185


As you can see, our favourite iPhone cases are the Alexander McQueen ones, we cannot choose a favourite colour! And the Stella McCartney Falabella phone case - we LOVE!!!

phone cases
Alexander Mcqueen Iphone Holders - Silver cracked leather, £165 / Red leather, £140
Bottle green leather, £140 / Black leather, £140 / Falabella metallic iPhone case, £165
 D&G Silver case, £84.63 / Miu Miu animal print hair calf phone case, £145


With a designer iPhone case then you might as well have a designer iPad cover too. This Lanvin iPad cover is illustrated with quirky sketches by designer Alber Elbaz. A real showstopper!
lanvin, lanvin ipad case
Lanvin printed iPad2 cover, £80


Every outfit will be lifted into first-class if you accessorise with a chic and trendy scarf. Go for colour and brighten up all your neutral toned ensembles.

jimmy choo scarf
Jimmy Choo - Rob Pruitt Saya printed silk-twill scarf, £115
lily and lionel scarf
Lily & Lionel printed wool and silk blend scarf, £150

I  know this isn't an accessory but I HAD to share this dress with you - it has sophistication and style in bucket loads. The leather trim is bang on trend, it can be dressed up or down for either an evening or daytime look and the shape will flatter every figure. A very worthy purchase for autumn/winter.


Maje leather-trimmed dress
Maje leather-trimmed jersey mini dress, £195



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