GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Mince pies. Apple Crumble. It's a Wonderful Life. Mulled Wine. Toast. Croissants. Lanson. Laurent Perrier. Turkey. Christmas Maisy. My Own Bed. Onesies. Happy Family. Friends. Normal Sleeping Pattern. Christmas Music. Miracle on 34th Street. Rocky Road. Cinnamon. Chocolate. Fairy Lights. Cold Weather. Family family family family family.


Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Machu Picchu

Yesterday I attended a Childreach International meeting in my University. I attended out of intrigue, but left feeling excited - more excited than i've ever felt, for anything.

I left at 6:13, and by 6:30, i had paid the first installment towards my trip, which leaves next June.

I will be taking 2 connecting flights to Peru, trekking through the Peruvian Mountains for 11 days and reaching Machu Picchu, with 8 days where I am allowed to do whatever I like!

I have about £3000 to raise myself, and it's going to be hard - but i'll do it. Because I want this trip.

And I'm so, so excited.

The First Festivities

Apologies for my abcense, it's been a hard month or so.. But I'm back! Time to try and maintain this little blog, for the good of my sanity! 

Above, we have firstly a photo I took of the Snickerdoodle Cookies I made [Recipe here]. They feature in the Hummingbird Bakery 'Cake Days' book. They are a basic sugar cookie, but before baking, there are rolled in cinnamon sugar which gives them the most subtle, delicious, Christmassy taste when they come out the oven. Best eaten warm with a hot coco! 

The Second Photo [taken from my flatmates instagram] features the Mulled Cider we made two nights ago when we were putting up the flat Christmas Tree. Photos of our little tree will follow - promise! 

It's the first of December and my advent calendar is at our family home! Roll on scoffing 10+ chocolates in one go when I finally get to travel home ;) 

Keep Smiling! :) x

If I were..

If I were a gemstone, I'd be an Amethyst 
If I were a scent, I'd be Fleurs de Cerisier by L'occitaine
If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be a pair of tan brogues
If I were the weather, I'd be a crisp winters day 
If I were a facial expression, I'd be a big smile

If I were a car, I'd be a Volkswagen Beetle 
If I were a time of day, I'd be 9pm
If I were a month, I'd be June
If I were a place, I'd be a hidden cove
If I were a liquid, I'd be a caramel latte
If I were a taste, I'd be buttercream

If I were a sea animal, I'd be a little sea horse
If I were a food, I'd be a creme brulee
If I were a colour, I'd be red
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a Spanish acoustic guitar
If I were a flower, I'd be a peony
If I were a song, I'd be 'Gentle On My Mind'

If I were a planet, I'd be Neptune
If I were an object, I'd be a little Turtle ornament
If I were a fruit, I'd be a blueberry
If I were a sound, I'd be the rain battering on the window
If I were a day of the week, I'd be a Sunday

5 Things That Have Made Me Smile This Week

1. Spending the day with my favourite girls today, shopping, dining, and giggling.

2. Sweet Potato Fries - SO YUMMY!

3. My bar job that I appreciate so very much when faced with the snooty employees in my other job.

4. Making Snickerdoodle Christmas Cookies.. in early September.

5. Seeing my boyfriends nephews. It's a weekly occurrence but they always make me so happy!

<3

Discovering Collieston

Yesterday, me and the girls decided to make the most of the sun and go on an adventure! We are all home from Uni for the holidays, and our hometown happens to be mere minutes from hundreds of stunning locations. The location of choice this time was Colliston Beach, which is a 15 minute drive from the town. Sheltered by towering cliffs, the former fishing village of Colliston looks directly onto the choppy unforgiving North Sea, past the tiny sandy beach and interesting coves. 

The Secret Garden

My Grandparents have the most lovely garden - and it really comes alive in summer. Hope you enjoyed the snaps x

Baked Maple Salmon with Asparagus

Yesterday, I was doing my weekly food shop when I walked by the Fish Counter and noticed these luscious salmon fillets ahead of me. I bought one, for £1.80 - ah, the solitary life.

 I sprinkled the asparagus lightly with Olive Oil and sprinkled liberally with ground black pepper.

I made a small amount of marinade up - maple syrup, a small amount of soy sauce and half a crushed garlic clove. I covered the salmon in the marinade and left it for 20 minutes in the fridge.

I baked the salmon at 200 degrees for 20 minutes, adding the asparagus half way through cooking. I decided to serve with some mashed potato and a little sweet chilli sauce. The salmon was wonderfully flaky and sweet. A winner!

Ladurée eat your heart out!

Last Summer, I was lucky enough to visit Ladurée Patisserie on the Champs Elysees, Paris. Me and my friends could barely afford to eat at the time, but we all managed to scrape together enough for a box of their legendary macaroons. 

That afternoon, we missed our flight home to Scotland and so ended up in a 15€ hostel for the night, where I tried my first 'real' Macaroon - immediately falling in love. 

This morning at 2am I was struggling to settle, so I decided to try and make the little treats how they were intended to be made. I made a small batch because I know my entire family are health freaks.. but Milly at Pearls and Poodles has an excellent recipe for a full batch. See my progress below!

They came out exceedingly delicate, chewy in the center, lightly crispy on the outside, a soft sheen.. I was really very happy with them! They are a bit of an art form though, a minute too long in the oven would ruin the whole batch!

Gifts from Orange County

My family have spent the last two weeks in Florida, eating delicious food and chilling with Mickey, my mummy, knowing how jealous I felt, decided to treat me!

 Left: Chocolate Malt Balls, which are basically giant, luxurious maltesers. 
Right: My brother and I have a collection of these 'spherical creatures' - i love my new addition Pooh Bear!

Left: Hello Darling body set from Victorias Secret - like nothing i've ever smelt! Delicious. 
Right: Clinique 'Anti-Blemish solutions 3 step system'.  YAY

Left: Pyjamas and pants! I love Victoria's Secret - my mum did an excellent job choosing the right size!
Right: Love this bag, think it would be great for the gym! Nice and big!

My favourite gift! This 'Alice and Wonderland' Teapot and cup set. Isn't it gorgeous? Although I don't think i'll use it, instead it will stay on my dressing table <3  

I'm spoilt! Happy Girl!

A Sunny Day In Aberdeen City Center

Today, I woke up to the first real glimmer of sunshine for what seems like a lifetime. I thought it would be a lovely opportunity to get some practise with my new camera, and to get some shots of the Granite City, which is definitely at it's most stunning in the sun. I soon realised however, that there would be a lot more to take photos of than Architecture. 

The City Centre was at it's packed, vibrant best.  Theatre Modo invaded Aberdeen with 'The Port' which presented the city's progression to an industrial hub. There was lots of colour, sound, drums, fireworks - and hundreds of excitable young people. I'm so pleased they got a sunny day for it.

I followed the parade up to Union Terrace, where the International Market had returned with all their tasty goods. I snapped pictures of some of the treats that tempted me most! 

Delicious! However, I am on a budget [and a diet!!] so bought these instead - Jacc's coffee's, Vietnamese Cinnamon and Christmas Pudding flavour; and Jacc's Christmas Pudding Hot Chocolate. I swear I'm not preparing for the festive season in August - honest! 

 I noticed Accessorize was having a 70% off sale too! I got both of these babies for about a quid!