Thursday 26 February 2015

A Few Shades of Grey

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit

Hey everyone! :)
Hope you're all having a lovely week, it's nearly the weekend! :)

Last week I got my exam results back and I averaged out at 65.6% so I'm really happy as it means I'm at a comfortable 2:1 woop! To celebrate a few girls from our course came round in the evening and we made some very yummy cocktails. We made Mojitos and Jungle Juleps which were super delicious! :)

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni

This outfit is one of my easy go to outfits for if I fancy something different to jeans or leggings yet it's still cold outside. I just kept it simple with different greys and then threw on my current favourite pink coat :) I've had this polo neck for yeaars and years (perks of not having grown since.. ever :') ) and it was sitting in my attick until recently. Luckily it's back in fashion and I already had it so woo!

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni Secret Gardens

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni Secret Gardens

I remember shopping with my mum when I was younger and she pointed out these shorts. I looked at them on the hanger and thought hmm naah :') She insisted I tried them on as they were good quality and super cheap so I did and since then I'd say they were probably my favourite winter shorts that have seen me through all these years! It's so annoying how mums are always right but in this case I didn't mind :') I need to take mum shopping more often!

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni Secret Gardens

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni Secret Gardens

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni Secret Gardens

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni Secret Gardens

Grey stripy polo neck and shorts Outfit Southampton University Uni Secret Gardens

We took some photos inside our SUSU building as I thought I would theme it around a simple outfit I wear to Uni :) Earlier this year I discovered this little Secret Garden tucked away at uni, it's so serene inside and it looks so pretty when the sun is shining. Sadly, the garden is closed during weekends but we snapped some photos in front of the gate as it was still a pretty background and hopefully soon I will be able to snap some photos inside :)

What I wore:


Shorts, Top, Tights, Earrings- Primark
Boots- Dorothy Perkins
Coat- New Look

Thursday 19 February 2015

Red Jacquard Weave Shorts

Red Shorts H&M Outfit ideas Black Gold
Hey Everyone, hope you're all having a good week :) 

My week's been quite relaxed actually, I haven't had to go into labs everyday so I've been able to use that time to catch up with work.. and do a lot of online shopping :') oopsy! haha!

Anyways, here's a little outfit post for you :)

Red Shorts H&M Kimono Outfit ideas Black Gold

Red Shorts H&M Outfit ideas Black Gold
Highfield University of Southampton Campus
I bought these Red Jacquard shorts a month or so ago in H&M and I thought they'd be perfect for the winter as they're a thicker material, although a little bit on the short side :) I decided to keep the rest of the outfit really simple so I wore it with my black bardot top from Primark, black tights and black boots :) I thought the kimono went nicely for an extra bit of detail and I picked that up in the H&M sales over Christmas and finally accessories-wise I wore my huge gold disc earrings from Primark and necklace from Miss Selfridge :)

Red Shorts H&M Outfit ideas Black Gold

Red Shorts H&M Outfit ideas Black Gold

Red Shorts H&M Outfit ideas Black Gold

Highfield University of Southampton Campus
These photos were all taken on campus, there are some lovely spots hidden away and the landscaping is so pretty and scenic :) I tried to get close to the ducks but I scared them away XD
The day I took these photos it was sooooo cold and it was windy aswell which really didn't help :') My hair was blowing everywhere and I kept closing my eyes in most of the photos XD #bloggerproblems haha :) I recently saw the shorts in the sale which is always the worst thing :')

Shorts, Kimono, Fedora - H&M
Top, Tights, Earrings - Primark
Boots- Dorothy Perkins
Necklace - Miss Selfridge


Thursday 12 February 2015

Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies

Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies Pinterest Anniversary Oreo

Hey Everyone! :)
It's nearly Valentine's Day! And what better way to celebrate than eating everything chocolate related and in the shape of a heart, irregardless whether you have anything planned! Cue recipe for these heart shaped cookies!

I found these on Pinterest and they looked so cute and yummy.. The recipe isn't the easiest.. there's a lot of chilling and cutting etc involved (okay it's not that hard I'm just lazy) but they turned out good in the end :) They're like a cuter version of oreos!
Also I would strongly recommend using a cookie cutter as cutting identical hearts free hand is actually quite hard xD 
For the full recipe you can click here.

Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies Pinterest Anniversary Oreo

Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies Pinterest Anniversary Oreo

Ingredients:

Cookies:

  • 1 1/8 cups all purpose flour (plain flour?)
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp coarse salt
  • 6 tbs unsalted butter, melted
  • 2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1 large egg

Filling:

  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
  • 1/4 granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbs milk, if needed

Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies Pinterest Anniversary Oreo
Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies Pinterest Anniversary Oreo

Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies Pinterest Anniversary Oreo

Method:

  1. Mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Stir together butter, sugar and egg. Combine the two together.
  2. Divide the dough in half, roll out each half between two sheets of baking paper (I didn't have parchment paper) and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  4. Cut out an even number of same sized hearts/other shapes. I would recommend using a cutter and not doing this by hand, as you can see I gave up after a while XD
  5. Place the cookies on baking paper and freeze for 15 minutes.
  6. Bake for 8-12 minutes depending on the size, remove from the oven and cool.
  7. To make the filling, beat the butter until light and fluffy (few minutes). Add the sugars, be careful as icing sugar goes everywhere and beat until combined. Beat in the vanilla and if it's too thick add some milk a little at a time.
  8. Spread or pipe the mixture onto one heart and sandwich 2 together.
Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies Pinterest Anniversary Oreo

Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cookies Pinterest Anniversary Oreo

And tadaa you're finished! I personally would add a bit more butter/milk as I found the mixture was a bit hard and if it was a bit softer that would make it a lot easier. I also should have baked mine for less, when we first took them out of the oven they seemed soft but as they cool down they go harder :)

Let me know if you try these and what other Valentine's Day treats you will be making this weekend!

Saturday 7 February 2015

The Pink Fitted Coat

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens sightseeing

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens sightseeing

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

I have wanted a pink coat for sooo long but whenever I tried any on they were also oversized/boyfriend fit so even the petite coats looked ridiculously big. I then thought okay, maybe not pink let's try another pastel colour but I still had the same problem. I'm so jealous of people that can pull off that look but I just can't so I finally admitted defeat XD

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

And then one day! Dun dun duuun :') I was January sale shopping and I found this coat in New Look, it was pink and fitted! But it was a size 6 so I nearly cried :') I tried it on anyway and luckily it fitted, it was just a bit snug XD Conveniently as I've worn it it's loosened up a bit so it fits more comfortably now :) 

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

These photos were taken at the ruins around Southampton, there are so many lovely places hidden away it just takes a while to find them, I can't wait until spring when the trees are blossoming and there are flowers growing everywhere, I'm sure it will look so pretty! :)

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

Pink Wool Coat New Look Southampton old town wall ruins Nevena Krstic gardens

I managed to snatch up this coat for £30 in New Look, and it's 50% Wool so a really good price! With it I wore my favourite black skinny jeans from H&M, they are the first affordable pair of jeans I own which don't go baggy around the knees! I wore my grey turtle neck jumper from Primark and my go to Dorothy Perkins black boots. My earrings are from Primark and my necklace is from Ebay :)

Have you been to visit the ruins in Southampton? Are there any near you? :)

Monday 2 February 2015

Lunch at Mango- End of exams

Mango Thai Tapas Southampton

Mango has got to be our favourite restaurant in Southampton, and it's our go to restaurant for every occasion :) We always enjoy our meal there and the price is good so we always return :) 

Mango Thai Tapas Southampton
Mango Thai Tapas Southampton

They have really tasty food, and it's Thai (which means it's gonna be good)! Back home we always go to Punchbowl in Colnbrook, another pub/restaurant that serves amazing Thai food aswell, they're both just too tasty! :)

Mango Thai Tapas Southampton

We allllllways get the same thing, but it's our favourite XD We all got the Crispy Chilli Beef and a Tapas of Crispy Squid which are also really good! They do a lunch deal which was slightly confusing as we thought it meant selected mains and Tapas but it includes everything so it worked out that we could get a drink for an extra £1! :)
We got some tap water for the table which they garnished with mint so it had a hint of flavour. I had a coke, Catherine had a non alcoholic mojito which was reaaally nice, I'll be getting that next time haha, and Hannah got a Jasmine Tea :)

Have you ever tried Thai food? Where do you like eating out as a celebration? :)