Food: Bubble & Squeak

I don't know about you, but I have lots of vegetables and bits and bobs from the Christmas food shop edging towards its expiration date.

There is an easy way to make all these not so spectacular ingredients, into something pretty tasty.

Good old bubble and squeak!

Christmas Cheer!

I have always loved Christmas, when I was younger it was obvs because a load of presents were involved, but now it has a truly different meaning to me.

I thought I would chat about some elements that make Christmas time so special, and why I love embracing and enjoying every moment this month brings. It is nice to sit back and soak in all the gorgeous elements December brings.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

So you think you are all done for Christmas, then all of a sudden you realise you're not.

All been there huh? Major panic....

I have put together a selection of gifts that are easy to source, and I think these are all gifts that everyone would love, and use.

CHRISTMAS FOOD BOX APPEAL

After the huge success of last years Christmas Beauty Box Appeal, (more info here).

I thought that this year I would try and get you lovely lot to donate some Christmas themed hamper boxes.
I know it shocks everyone to the core that this day in age, a very large amount of people right through our communities are dependent on food banks.

Christmas Gift Guide Part Two

      Still stuck for some ideas about what to buy the ladies in your

            The products below are all items that any lady would love, but maybe wouldn't buy for themselves.

1) Kate Spade New York 17 month Organiser. I take this everywhere with me. It`s so pretty and now I have no excuse to miss any appointments. Maybe a little expensive to splurge on yourself so the perfect gift that is guaranteed to make any lady happy.

2) Pandora Rings. There is a ring for every type, and I love stacking around 2-3 to finish any outfit off. Jewellery Is always a winner, it is something that is kept forever. My favourite in the range is the rose gold bow ring and the love ring.

3) Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. This palette is a best seller and is a cult product in the beauty world. Maybe a little expensive to buy yourself so again the perfect gift. House in this sturdy palette there is 12 neutral brown shades that would suit everyone.

4) Clarins Multi Active Day Moisturiser. The way I would describe this is a hug in a jar, it`s such a luxurious creamy product, it is my favourite day moisturiser. I can safely say most women would love. This is rated at 5 stars across most websites and is especially perfect for this cold weather. 

5) Redken Hair Products. I feel the hair can be a forgotten in the whole present department. I love Redken products, but they are a little expensive, so I love receiving some as presents. Also a little easier to choose than make-up or skincare, you literally need to know colour of hair, and condition and you are on your way. 

Operation Christmas Pamper Box Appeal.

 Christmas is nearly here, jeeez it's so exciting isn't it?

For the majority of us this means a really joyous time, spent with family and friends.

But for others unfortunately, it is pretty rubbish, and a time when loneliness, and some people's dreadful circumstances hit home that little bit harder.

In conjunction with some hostels and charities around the Liverpool area. I will be gathering and donating some boxes filled with goodies, (remember the shoe boxes you would do in School, that would be sent to Africa? Think along them lines), so the ladies who may not get a gift this year - will have a little something to open and enjoy on Christmas Day.

If you are anything like me and the ladies in my life then you will have lots of samples and beauty products lying about that you haven't even opened, or used. These all could be added, with some other bits and bobs, like books, stationary and chocolate!

I have provided an example below of what your box could include, but please feel free to improvise and put what you want in your box. People up to now are using small and normal sized shoe-boxes.

Perfect Christmas roast potatoes.

I am definitely more a veg and potato type of girl than meat. On my Christmas dinner I have a little bit of Turkey well because you have to don't you? I then pile on the veg and potatoes with gravy. So I thought I would share with you my Christmas roast potato recipe. First off I peel and cut the potatoes all a similar size and par boil for 10 minutes. When they are a similar size they will all cook evenly. I then make a couple of bouquet garnis. I use woody herbs like sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme and wrap them up together using some string. Alternatively all the major supermarkets do them already made up this time of year.

I then pour a pot of goose fat in a roasting tray and heat that up on high in the oven.

When the potatoes are par boiled I sieve the water out bash them and sprinkle a tablespoon of flour over them so when they roast they get all crunchy and crispy.

I then add potatoes to the hot roasting tray, the bouquet garnis, around 10 bashed up garlic cloves with some rock salt and black pepper. Then I roast for an hour and a half, the last half hour I add some whole baby carrots and chunky parsnips. It completely depends on your oven but they will be all golden and crispy, then you will know them beauty's are done. 

Crispy on the outside and all fluffy in the middle is my idea of the perfect roastie. What's your trick to making the perfect roasties? What's your favourite part of your Christmas dinner? Do you think you will try this recipe?

Jamie Oliver`s Christmas Gravy!

Every Christmas Eve I always prep as much as I can of the Christmas dinner so Christmas can be spent with my family. I am in charge of the potatoes, veg and gravy leaving the joints of meats to my Mum and Dad. Past couple of years I have made Jamie Oliver's get ahead gravy recipe. It consists of roasting wings of chicken with veg and herbs. (I also use some legs and thighs as I always have some in.)

When chicken is roasted a whole lot of mashing and sieving all the ingredients together goes on resulting in a gorgeous stock to add to the juices from the roasted meat`s on Christmas Day ,making the most special gravy ever!

What I like about it is it's kind of tradition now I would feel odd not doing it on Christmas eve. Secondly it makes the house smell so gorgeous and all festive and three it does up the amp on your gravy making it extra special, just what you want on Christmas day.

I think gravy is so important it can make or break the whole meal. As I said before it just wouldn't feel right not doing it now and ever since my mother poured the stock from the turkey down the sink one Christmas Day,well I will always have a back up! Always!