L'italiano, lie-ins and limoncello.

My second trip to Sorrento was just as beautiful as the first... albeit colder, with more bread and less geography worksheets. However, in the 3 years that have passed, little has changed. The streets still bare that unfinished and chipped paintwork; insignias of the Madonna and child glare waxy and unassuming from the exposed rock-faces; ripe viridescent trees hang heavy with gnarled, bitter lemons; and, when plied with carbs and wine, everything seems slower and a little bit calmer.

(The view from a cafe in the main square, never has the need for a linen suit and a panama hat been more apt)

(Pistachio and Lemon gelato mmmmmmmm)

(You'd think we would be more excited for a city preserved from 79AD... apparently not)

(Couldn't resist...)

Also, here is a little bit of footage from my trip. I only chose to film 3 of the days, it was a holiday after all. So here is a snapshot of Sorrento, Pompeii and Vesuvius. (Sorry about the editing, this is my first go). The song is 'Robbers', by the 1975.

Mushroom Risotto

Well tonight has certainly been a night of solitude. With one flatmate poorly, the other away and my boyfriend busy guesting on a radio show: a night on my own, listening to Laura Marling and cooking one of my favourite meals has actually been rather lovely. In my opinion, there is nothing more comforting than a creamy risotto: flavoured with earthy wild mushrooms, rich parmesan and served with a lightly poached, velvety egg on top. Who said students ate badly?

Ingredients (Serves 2 with a hearty appetite... or 3 normal people)

A good handful of dried porcini mushrooms

1 vegetable stock cube

A good glug of olive oil

1 finely chopped medium onion

Half a pack of chestnut mushrooms, washed and roughly chopped

200g of risotto rice

A generous grating of parmesan

1 free-range egg


1. Put the dried mushrooms in a bowl and cover with 1litre of boiling water. Soak for 20 minutes, or in my case, the length of an episode of 'Call the Midwife' (whoops). Drain, and crumble the stock cube into the mushroomy water. Squeeze the water out of the mushrooms and chop.

2. Heat the oil in a shallow saucepan and add the onions and fry until lightly golden. Add the mushrooms, both dried and fresh, and fry until softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Tip the rice into the pan, and jiggle it about a bit until each grain is coated in the mushroomy oil. Pour in a quarter of the stock and stir until the rice has absorbed it. Bring the risotto to a simmer, and keep adding the stock until the rice is plump and creamy. Keep stirring, or it will stick to the bottom of the pan and be a pain to wash up. By the final quarter of stock, the rice should be tender.

4. If the rice still isn't cooked, i.e a little crunchy or sticky in the middle, just add a few splashes of water and continue to stir.

5. Add a generous grating of parmesan and stir to combine.

6. In another pan, bring salted water to the boil, whisk to form a vortex, and crack an egg into the middle of the swirling water. Reduce the pan to a simmer, and after 3 minutes remove your perfectly poached egg (or in my case: a wishy-washy mass of gelatinous white) with a slotted spoon.

7. Dollop the risotto onto a place, and place the poached egg on top. Ideally serve with freshly ground black pepper and a generous handful of roughly chopped parsley... but I'm a student, so I don't have that kind of shit. 

February Favourites

It's February! Know what that means? Days not being entirely enveloped by encroaching, chilly, dark nights? The first, tentative buds of spring finally reaching from the waterlogged flowerbeds? The anniversary of BBC's EastEnders pilot broadcast? The day on which Byzantine Emperor Justinian ordered the building of a new Orthodox Christian basilica in Constantinople in 532BC? No silly, it means It's a month 'til my birthday.

Time for some February favourites.

#1. Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate

There is nothing more pretty than an elegant, sheer, tinted lip: and because of this, lip butters have been my go-to beauty product of the last year. After finally hitting pan with my trusted Korres Lip Butter in 'Plum' (a gorgeous, rich purple-y shade ideal for Winter), I thought it wise to update my collection with a colour more suited to Spring- and 'Pomegranate' did not disappoint. As always, the lip butters are hydrating, easy to apply, smell lovely and leave a delicate sheen and colour on the lips.

#2. Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream in Ivory 

I have a real struggle when it comes to buying foundations, especially as I have awkward pale, combination skin. However, this CC cream applies smoothly, has an absolutely perfect colour match, with just the right amount of coverage and, when paired with a good concealer and setting powder, leaves and almost flawless finish. I'm impressed. 

#3. 'S' Necklace 

I adore personalised necklaces, and this one that I bought from Illusy on Etsy is definitely my favourite so far. Set on a thin gold chain, the pretty gold disk with an 'S' punched partially though it looks beautiful with anything. I wear it almost everyday, and it has even survived a few (accidental!) trips in the shower. 

#4. 'On Chesil Beach' by Ian McEwan

Read as a recommendation from my A'Level English teacher, this wonderfully poignant novella is one of the best things I have read all year. Set in 1962, the story follows the wedding night of young newlyweds, Florence and Edward. The couple's love is undeniable, despite their differing social backgrounds; Edwards callous sexual eagerness; and Florence's sheer terror when faced with physical intimacy. The narrative swiftly alternates between the night in question, and the development of the couple's relationship; leaving a subtle aftertaste of the sweet blushes of timid romance, to the wobbly strides of nervous courting, ending in the awkward, and somewhat anti-climatic, embarrassment of first time love-making. It's a really beautiful, beautiful novella.  

ASOS Wish List | #1

Browsing the ASOS website, for me, is the perfect procrastination activity. In fact, I often enjoy to sit and stare longingly at my overflowing basket full of saved items when my day has been somewhat lacklustre. I know, what a gripping life I must lead. Regardless of my lack of social life, I thought I'd share with you a few items that have caught my eye recently.

                             

         

 

Sister Jane Layered Blouse in Tweed | ASOS Clutch Bag With Wooden Fitting | ASOS Drape Jumper in Oversized Shape | Pull&Bear Coatigan With Contrast Sleeves | ASOS Secret Garden Heels | Warehouse Cocoon Shift Dress | Glamorous Oversize Shirt in Polka Dot | New Balance 410 Burgundy Suede and Mesh Trainers

Sister Jane Layered Blouse in Tweed - £56.00

Oh goodness me, this is a thing of beauty. I love minimalism, and I think this would look beautiful over a pair of skinny jeans, low-heeled boots and with hair twisted into a loose chignon.  

ASOS Clutch Bag With Wooden Fitting - £20.00

I have been looking for a decent oversized, slouchy clutch bag for so long- and I think this one might just hit the mark. I love the salmon colour, and I think it would look so pretty in the summer with loose dresses and sandals. 

ASOS Drape Jumper in Oversized Shape - £25.00

I wear an awful lot of black and grey, so this year I'm trying to inject a touch more colour into my wardrobe. I would probably wear this with a plain silver band necklace and a few rings. 

Pull&Bear Coatigan With Contrast Sleeves - £59.99

Is it a coat? Is it a cardigan? Who knows; it's beautiful none the less. 

ASOS Secret Garden Heels - £35.00

These shamelessly remind me of school disco shoes. You know, the type to be worn with sparkly M&S dresses, that lingered- sticky and scuffed from school hall floors- at the back of the wardrobe. Maybe this is regression? I'm not going to fight it. 

Warehouse Cocoon Shift Dress - £60.00

This is the sort of dress that makes me long for balmy summer weddings, holidays by the sea and evenings out with friends. In short, it's a pretty, simple, summer posh-job dress. I'd pair it with loose hair and a statement necklace. 

Glamorous Oversized Shirt in Polka Dot - £24.00

It's big, it's spotty, it's got buttons. Would look good over jeans, trainers and with hair in a messy top-knot. 

New Balance 410 - £50.00

I have a love affair going on with New Balance's. My trusted navy blue pair have been with me up Mount Vesuvius, across London, though the streets of Bangkok and to serval outings in-between. They are my staple shoe and I even wear them with dresses.  

A song for NYE

My lovely friend Georgie, of Georgie Talks Nails, introduced me to this song- and I really, really love it. But sadly, as much as I would love to be out dancing to this song with my friends this New Years Eve... I shall be working... aka pouring drinks for inebriated pensioners. I'm sure your heart bleeds.

A song for a Friday morning

Sam York - The Script



This morning was a good morning. After an incredibly stressful day of exam preparations yesterday (my first Journalism exams are next week!), a lazy morning with my boyfriend was definitely necessary. Anyway, today I also discovered this song: and I think It's really beautiful. In my opinion, It's a little reminiscent of a Ben Howard/Matthew West/Jack Williams combo... if that's even possible.

'It must have happened as I lay in your arms, and I listened to the beat of your heart'

Lily & Madeleine - Come To Me

Thank goodness for Rookie magazine, and their Sunday Videos, or else I would have never stumbled across this musical duo. With beautiful folky melodies, paired with ethereally haunting vocals, Lily & Madeleine produce wonderful, wonderful music. They remind me a little of Swedish Folk duo, First Aid Kit? Well worth a listen.