Monday 29 December 2014

Blogmas Day 29: Into The Woods - OOTD















So I'll admit I've been pretty crappy with Blogmas, however I'm pretty pleased with how much content I've managed to come up with, and I really hope you've enjoyed it. 

With the chaos of Christmas finally over, I decided to pick my camera up once more and get back into the swing of things with a good ol' Outfit of the Day post. 

I've been meaning to do another one for ages, especially since I got this new dress from Boohoo.com. 

I've never owned a wrap dress before, but for anyone with a curvy figure they're incredible flattering. I'd never looked twice at one until I saw this print. From a distance it looks like any old monochrome pattern, but close-up the detailed woodland print becomes clear. 

What I really love about it is that you can dress it up and down, and that goes for the boots too. They were a brilliant Black Friday buy that go with absolutely everything, from dresses to ripped jeans. I'm such a sucker for a chunky heel. 

The scarf and gloves also featured in my Black Friday post and were my best bargain buys. So happy to finally own a pair of leather gloves. 

All in all I feel the contrast of soft fabrics with leather, as well as matte with glossy makes for an outfit suitable for a variety of occasions, be it a meal out or a walk in the woods (not if it's muddy though, the boots now need a good scrub; luckily they're washable). 

READ MORE

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Blogmas Day 24: Alternative Xmas Playlist


I love the atmosphere of Christmas, I really do. It's a holiday where your senses are alive with the sights, the smells, the tastes and of course the sounds. 

For me, I'm getting a little bit tired of hearing the same Christmas songs year on year. I find it really sad that for as long as I can remember, the Christmas No.1 spot has been dominated by X Factor garbage, with no one even trying to bring something new to the table (and no, the new Band Aid song doesn't count). 

However, the lack of new Christmas material doesn't mean we have to sit listening Slade on repeat. 

Here's a selection of some of my favourite Christmas songs that don't quite fit the cliche Christmas mold, but help me get in the festive mood all the same. 

Carol of the Bells (Rout Remix)



Amy Winehouse - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause


Blink 182 - I Won't Be Home for Christmas 

The Killers - Don't Shoot Me Santa


Julian Casablancas - I Wish It Was Christmas Today


The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - All I Want For Christmas 


Bruce Springstein - Santa Clause is Coming to Town


Florence & the Machine - Last Christmas


The Futureheads - Christmas was Better in the 80s


The Crookes - It's Just Not Christmas Without You


The Wombats - Is This Christmas?

Fall Out Boy - What's This?

The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)

My Chemical Romance - All I Want for Christmas is You



READ MORE

Friday 19 December 2014

Belated Blogmas Day 17: Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting


So for part two of mine and Gabbie's Christmas bakes we made gingerbread cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. All the Christmas flavours. They're so sweet but so moreish. My piping skills aren't that great, but if you're a dab hand at it, you can make these look truly stunning. 

Ingredients

200g plain flour
2 tbsp ground ginger
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 
340g butter
300g caster sugar
3 tbsp molasses (or honey / treacle / maple syrup / muscavado sugar) 
4 eggs (at room temperature)
1 tsp vanilla extract 

For the Frosting

500g icing sugar
113g cream cheese
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
2-4 tbsp double cream. 



1. Preheat the oven to 180C . Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves. 

 2. In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. 

3. Add molasses (or substitute). Beat until combined. 

4.Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each one until incorporated. 

5. Beat in vanilla. Gradually mix in flour mixture until combined. 

6. Divide the mixture evenly among the cases, filling each 3/4 full. Bake for 25 minutes until an inserted knife comes out clean. 

7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. 

8. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese until fluffy.Add vanilla, cinnamon and 2 tbsp heavy cream and mix until smooth. Gradually mix in the icing sugar. 

9. Spread or pipe onto the cooled cupcakes and store in an airtight container. 

These are packed full of all the flavours that resonate with Christmas. It's literally Christmas in your mouth when you're eating these!. 

READ MORE

Thursday 18 December 2014

Belated Blogmas Day 16: Christmas Baking Part 1: Oreo Fudge


So on Tuesday me and my friend Gabbie decided to get together for a Christmas baking day. Not only did we end up with some awesome baked goods to give as gifts, but we really got in the Christmas mood. Baking is so much more fun and stress-free when you do it with a friend. Here's our gooey and downright tasty Oreo Fudge. It's ridiculously easy to make and requires very little ingredients. Minus the chilling time, it'll probs take you 30 minutes max!

Ingredients
230g cream cheese 
500g Icing Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
425g white chocolate, chopped
15 Oreo cookies, broken into chunks

1. In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. 

2. In a heatproof  bowl set over a pan of simmering water, heat white chocolate, stirring until melted and smooth.
3. Stir in the melted white chocolate.  

4. Add 3/4 of the Oreos into the cream cheese mixture. 


5. Spread into a baking dish lined with either cling film or baking paper. 

6. Press the remaining cookies into the top of the fudge. 
7. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours before cutting. 

7. Cut into 1 inch squares. 


Wrapped up in tissue paper, these would make perfect Christmas gifts for someone with a sweet tooth. 

READ MORE

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Belated Blogmas Day 14: Decorating the Tree



Some people say Christmas doesn't start for them until they've seen the Christmas Coca-Cola advert, or eaten their first mince pie of the year. For me, it's decorating the Christmas tree. I can watch that cheesy piece of marketing a million times and stuff myself silly with mince pies, but if the place in which I do those things isn't lit with the warming light of a Christmas tree, then I just can't get in the mood. 

If I had my way, Christmas decorations would stay up all year. The house just seems warmer and cosier than ever before. 

I love traditions and sentiment, and the ritual of decorating the Christmas tree in our house is full of it, and that's all down to the decorations. 

A lot of our decorations are linked to precious memories and hold sentimental value, so every time we decorate our tree, it's so lovely to get immersed in the nostalgia and remember the stories behind each decoration. 

Seeing as it's #blogmas  I thought I'd get all soppy and share some of the stories behind the Sofokleous family decorations. 

This is one of three decorations that Mum collected out of the Tetley Tea boxes almost 15 years ago. 
This was when times were pretty tough financially, so freebies like this helped us to keep the Christmas spirit alive. They've lasted pretty well (we lost a teddy leg along the way somewhere), and Mum likes to keep them as a reminder of getting through tough times. 


These are from when I was obsessed with purple as a little girl. I can't remember how I was, but my bedroom tree HAD to be all purple. I think Mum got them from the first ever House & Garden show. The little bag has lavender in it and to this day still has its scent. Instead of a star, I had this bear in his snazzy waistcoat at the top of my tree. 

Back when Mum was a hairdresser when we lived in London she had a client who had 8 children, and whenever she did her hair she'd always take me with her.  I was in my element surrounded by so many people to play with, (all of whom had bunk-beds, I was so jealous). Well that lady made these plump little angels, and they always put a smile on our faces remembering what a lovely family they were. Handmade gifts are always worth keeping. 


This is a decoration from the time the mini Christmas tree in my room was Teddy Bear theme.  My mum is a very creative and imaginative person, and I have such wonderful memories of the things she'd come up with to make Christmas special. As a little girl, what's better than a Christmas tree with all your favourite teddies on? 


These are also packed with London memories. These were made by the mum of one of my closest friends at my lower school in London who sadly died of a brain tumor a few years ago. They are a memory of her and the amazing friendships me and my family made whilst we lived there. 


How cute are these? These are mine and my brother's first ever Christmas decorations Mine's the Santa, and my brother's is the stocking. I think it's obvious why my Mum has kept these. They're just so tiny. 

As ridiculous as these look, there's  no way we could ever throw them away, and they just have to go on the tree. My brother made these when he was at nursery. Of all the things he made and brought home, these were definitely worth keeping. 


Do any of your decorations have any stories behind them? I'd love to hear about them. 
Comment below. 



READ MORE

Sunday 7 December 2014

Blogmas Day 7: My Christmas Wishlist

No matter how old we get, we all have a Chrsitmas wishlist. We drop hints, enthusiastically coo at things we want, and have a Pinterest board of wants that's never-ending. 

Seeing as I share quite a lot with you guys nowadays, I thought it would only be right for me to share my Christmas wishlist. Who knows, maybe it'll give you a little bit of Christmas shopping inspiration, give you something to add to your own list, or finally answer that pressing question: What am I going to buy Steph this Christmas?

Make-Up

Jewellery 

Shoes

Clothes

READ MORE

Saturday 6 December 2014

Blogmas Day 6: Winter Skin Care




With the harsh, bitter weather kicking in, unless we walk around wearing balaclavas, the skin on our faces is in for a bit of a battering. 
This season, moisturising is more important than ever, and Nourish have it all under control. They recently sent me their Argan Beauty Collection in the form of this cute Christmas gift set to review, and it's been my lifesaver. 
We should have all heard of Argan Oil by now; it's good for practically everything. Nourish have gone and got me in the Christmas mood with three Argan Oil miniatures featuring  gold , frankincense and myrrh (how apt). 


Argan Skin Rescue
This little bottle of dewyness is the first thing you should put on your face after a good cleanse. With collagen enhancing qualities , it gives a fresh, moist appearance to your skin and creates a perfect base for make-up application. 


Argan Skin Renew 
Who knew you could pack so much goodness into such a little tub? The hydration levels of your skin can be instantly boosted with just a pea-size application of this glorious stuff. Team it with the Argan Skin Rescue and you've got a match made in heaven. As weird as it may sound, I couldn't stop poking my face after using these. My cheeks have never been so soft. 


Golden Glow Illuminating Face Shimmer
I like to see this as the icing on the cake. After all that moisturising, I didn't really feel like smothering my new found dewyness with foundation and what not. This face shimmer, with gold mineral particles adds just a hint of colour and luminosity to your skin. I'm pretty sure I've discovered the secret to the flawless red carpet I'm-not-wearing-any-makeup look. 

READ MORE