Insta-life #2

My latest adventures from the last few weeks documented through instagram.

Top Row: 1) A lovely day trip to Bath with my family on the way back from Devon. I love it there so much.

2) My signature dish- smoked salmon and spinach quiche- if you would like to see the recipe in a post let me know!

3) My friend Victoria and I in Laduree in Covent Garden. I didn't even know there were Laduree's over in England so when Victoria suggested it I didn't object. Such a nice setting and really impressively decorated. We didn't want to leave!

Middle Row: 1) My cheeky cake in Laduree with a rose petal on top.

2) After waiting months for it to come out, Reiss and I went and saw Ryan Gosling's latest film. We had really mixed feelings about it after, it was good BUT they could have made it a lot better.

3) Spent a lovely few days at Reiss' relaxing and exploring a lovely village near him with an amazing tea room (noticing the pattern of everything I have done recently revolving around food yet?!).

Bottom Row: 1) and 2) The latest outfit post on my blog and making the most of the sunshine.

3) Last night was spent with my sleepy cat Ted on my lap and watching the last episode of Broadchurch.

xxx

"Morning white mist came across the plain, blue skies and rain"

Blouse and shoes: Primark. Jeans: Jack Wills. 

Finally a spot of sunshine! To celebrate I bought this cute blouse (which reminds me of a plate pattern, anyone else agree?!) and these shoes which I thought were a bit more exciting than the average pair of flats.

I'm enjoying being back at home for a while and relaxing before I need to start my revision for my exam next month. With a cheeky trip to London for the rest of the week on Wednesday I'll be sure to keep my camera on me and hopefully snap some more outfit photos.

Have you been enjoying the sunshine and being able to finally wear your spring clothes?

xxx

Baking: Home-made pizza recipe

For me, there is no comparison between home-made pizzas and shop bought ones. The humble home-made pizza is a firm favourite amongst my family. My dad definitely holds the pizza making crown but my sister and I are determined to give him some competition! This is our trusty recipe we follow for a delicious home-made pizza.

What you will need to make two pizza bases:

• 500g strong white flour
• 1 tea-spoon of fast-action dried yeast
• 1 tea-spoon of salt
• 350ml tepid water
• 2 table-spoons of olive oil

Method

1. Sieve the flour into a bowl, then add the yeast and salt.
2. Make a well in the flour and add water and olive oil.
3. Now for the messy bit- use your hands to mix it all together until it goes into a smooth elastic dough.
4. Once smooth take the dough out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface and knead for ten minutes.
5. Shape into a round ball and put back into mixing bowl, cover with cling film, leave in a warm place for an hour (e.g. airing cupboard, near radiator, hot plate).
6. When you return to the dough it should have risen, now turn it out of the bowl, cut in half (as the mixture you have made is for 2 pizzas), knead both for 2-3 minutes.
7. Using a floured rolling pin roll out the dough until about 1cm thick, and place on two baking trays. 
8. Spread passata over the two pizza bases (you really don't need too much), sprinkle over mixed herbs/oregano. Add crumbled mozzarella and then add your toppings of choice...we used mushrooms, olives, ham and peppers.
9. Grate over some more cheese if you like your pizzas cheesy!
10. Pop in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Serve with a side salad or home-made potato wedges and enjoy! xxx

New ASOS Mac "I know I caught your eye because you darling, you caught mine"

This is my latest (very cheeky) addition to my wardrobe. When unidays.com were running their 25% student discount off at ASOS last week I couldn't resist this beauty. I've been wanting a mac for ages but the ones I had seen in the shops weren't quite what I was after.

Hopefully I look a bit more professional in this than my trusty Barbour! I'll be using this as my smart coat now (whilst pretending that I'm Audrey Hepburn in her famous mac). If your after a Mac too I'd really recommend this one- great quality, and a nice tailored fit.

Do you have a trusty mac?

Mac: ASOS

Scarf: Vintage

Leopard flats: Primark

Bag: Urban Outfitters

Ben Howard: Move Like You Want

Korres: Lip Butters

Hey there...remember me?! The last few weeks of being taught for my undergraduate life are about to end. I'm spending most of my days cooped up writing my dissertation so blogging has had to take a bit of a back seat. But I thought I would make a little re-appearance to share with you all how amazing the Korres lip butter range is. 

Now we all know the weather lately hasn't been amazing, I'm talking wind, rain, snow, sleet- everything. So my poor old lips when I have ventured out of the house (either to the library or food shopping) they have taken a bit of a battering. This is where the Korres lip butters come in!

They are described as "A buttery lip balm that melts on the lips and offers a shiny tinted finish. The combination of shea butter and rice wax offers deep hydration and softness" which I think is pretty spot on. You can find the lip butter pots here for £6 of £7 which I think is really reasonable considering how hydrating they are. What I also really like is the tint of colour they give. I tend to wear 'quince' in the day- a pinky shade and then 'plum' in the evening which unsurprisingly is a plum shade!

Regarding staying power I only have to re-apply every three hours or so which is pretty good. Overall I would really recommend these as they are a reasonable price, have a gorgeous subtle scent, offer a healthy bit of colour for the lips without being as vibrant as a lipstick and really do the job well!

Have you tried any of the Korres lip butters or have a holy grail lip balm?

xxx

Dreamy outfit wishlists- Moneysupermarket.com competition

The generous chaps over at Moneysupermarket.com are running a competiton to win £1000 towards your dream spring/summer wardrobe by designing 3 outfits in the categories: party, casual and beach/holiday under a £200 budget. I thought it would definitely be worth a go so a few hours later (this girl can browse online until her heart's content) and VOILA here is my entry...

Party Outfit: 1) Playsuit: Miss Selfridge £45 2) Platforms: Topshop £60 3) Necklace: Zara £19.99 

4) Nail varnish: ASOS £4.50  5) Clutch: Zara £59.99

Total: £189.48

With my uni's summerball line-up due to be released very soon it's been playing on my mind what I would like to wear to it and this was what I came up with- I adore the floaty but sophisticated playsuit and would help make me stand out from the rest of the crowd in dresses a little. Teamed with some tanned legs (a girl can live in hope...) I chose nude platforms and a clutch to hopefully highlight that tan and keep the look elegent but still young. With a pop of colour on the nails and the statement beaded necklace I think anyone would look the bee's knee's in this outfit.

Casual Outfit: 1) T-Shirt: Miss Selfridge £12 2) Bag: Zara £39.99 

3) Blazer: H+M £29.99 4) Denim shorts: Topshop £22  

5) Lipstick: Nars (via ASOS) £18.50  6) Bracelet: Urban Outfitters £6 7) Shoes: Zara £29.99

Total: 158.47

As soon as I saw this blazer I knew I had to create my 'casual' outfit around it- its so nice and a steal at £29.99 too. With such a statement blazer I figured it was best to keep the t-shirt and bottoms simple- a baggy grey tee from Miss. Selfridge with Topshop denim shorts. Until it gets warmer I'd wear tights under the shorts. The Zara handbag oozes sophistication whilst the pumps keep the look young and a bit cheeky. With the elephant bracelet and a burst of colour on the lips and your good to go!

Beach/Holiday Outfit: 1) Dress: Topshop £75 2) Hat: ASOS £15 3) Sunglasses: Whistles £45

4) Sandals: Zara £19.99 5) Disposable Camera: Boots £7 6) Bikini Top: New Look £12.99 

7) Bikini Bottoms: New Look £7.99

Total: £182.97

This bikini top and bottoms are a steal from New Look coming in at under £21 for the pair, which left me plenty of pennies to spend on the gorgeous floppy wide-brimmed hat and Whistles sunglasses and pretend I'm Audrey Hepburn behind them because no one wants sun damage. A laid back dip-dye dress from Topshop and the lovely Zara sandals to throw on whilst getting ice-creams complete the look. And of course no holiday is complete without a disposable camera to snap all those memories..

Insta-life #1

February was a very busy but equally good month! Just compiled some of my instagram snaps to document the last month.

1) I managed to get back home last weekend and we celebrated my Grandma's birthday. My sister had made this cake for her, complete with Parrots as she loves birds.

2) Tried to get a photo of my dog Mallon and me, he wasn't too keen on sitting still though! He's such a cutie with the nicest personality, we've had him for about 6 years and got him from the RSPCA.

3) Posy self-shot in my new Zara top.

4) I finally branched into the ombre trend and did my hair with the L'oreal wild ombre kit, I took this the day after I had done it but it has faded so quickly in just over a week- bit disappointing!

5) Spring is definitely on its way and I couldn't resist these daffodils in Marks and Spencer the other week- they brightened up my desk and my mood whilst I was essay writing.

6) Reiss and Me on Valentine's Day before our yummy night in with Waitrose food.

7) Trevi Fountain in Rome, we were determined to not leave Rome without seeing the fountain. Such a gorgeous monument.

8) Annaliese, Georgia and Victoria- the gorgeous girls I went to Rome with and me before our last evening out for dinner.

9) The Sistine Chapel, so pleased to have finally seen the paintings. Interestingly two days after we left Rome the Pope resigned... coincidence?!

Let me know if you've done an instagram post recently and feel free to follow me on instagram- racheleprior

xxx