Neutral

What I'm Wearing: Gap Trench Coat, Urban Outfitters Fringed Sweater, Topshop Fedora, Zara Jeans & Kurt Geiger 'Vera' Boots.

Burgundy lipstick is often hard to wear during the day, with the fear of looking dressy or over the top, but the trick is to pair it with neutrals, ivory sweater, camel trench and powder pink jeans, you can't go wrong. This fringed sweater has brought me so much happiness since I bought it in one of my many sales hauls. I have constantly been on the hunt for a sweater with fringing ever since I first laid eyes on the infamous Isabel Marant one that never ever seemed to be in stock! But now, I got this absolute beaut for a mere scratch of the price and I am just over the moon. An Urban Outfitters special and now less that half price in the sale, get yours here.

Talking of Urban Outfitters, got a special little discount code for you all for FREE SHIPPING! All you need to do is type is click here and type in FREESHIPJAN at the checkout stage and all those 75% off sales goodies are yours for no extra postage fee! But hurry, offers only valid till the end of Jan!

Snowy Sunday at St Albans Abbey

For me, there is nothing better than a big ol'brunch on a Sunday morning and my one of favourite breakfast spots in town is Carluccio. I'm not sure whether it's because there are always tonnes of us when we eat out, or just the fact that we are greedy pigs, but either way we managed to order almost everything off both the cake and breakfast menus last Sunday. Well just look at that food, how could you possibly resist!?

Latte Napoli

Apricot Tart, Croissant w/Fig Jam & Plum Tart Slice 

Hot Chocolate

Uova E Pancetta E Fungi

Colazione Magnifica

Uova E Pancetta E Fungi

Eggs Florentine

Colazione Magnifica

What I'm Wearing: Vintage Fur Hat & Gillet, Zadig & Voltaire Sweater, Levi's Jeans & Hunter Wellies.

Isn't it funny how we travel far and wide to see the beautiful architecture of the world; the Notre Dame in Paris, the Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco, but we forget the beauties that we have right on our door step. St Albans Abbey is one of the largest Cathedrals in the country and dates all the way back to the Norman's. Already a glorious building  and with the addition of a light dusting of snow, doesn't it just look beautiful.

Mini Marni Man

What I'm Wearing: ASOS Mongolian Vest, Miss Guided Tailored Blazer, Marni for H&M Tee, Zara Jeans & Isabel Marant Sneakers.

Long day in university today, endless lectures, practicals and new briefs. But on a high note. I got to use my new notebook. I have always been an absolute stationary fiend, requiring a brand new set at the start of every new academic year, but now a little older and hopefully a little wiser - I've resisted forking out a fortune for a new set of pens, pencils and crayons and just treated myself to a brand new notebook. This little Valentino number is my new bag companion, unlined and ready for any idea or sketch that pops into my head. If you fancy getting your hands on one of these little beauties head on over to the Valentino: Master of Couture exhibition at Somerset House (click here for more info). 

PS - I am 100% totally and utterly addicted to Nerds.

Comme Des School

What I'm Wearing: Versace for H&M Top, Zadig & Voltaire Cardigan, ASOS Mongolian Vest, Zara Jeans, Nike Dunk iD's (personalised) & VS PINK Backpack.

The start of a new year also means the start of a new semester. So basically I'm going to be living in the library for the next 2 months till this dissertation is done and dusted. Thankfully the Parkinson steps were gritted today, despite the rather persistent snow which just seems to keep on coming. Snow is so pretty when fresh and powdery with that gorgeous crunch underfoot, but when it ices over and I've got an almost vertical hill to walk down back to the apartment, I'm really not that big a fan. Got my first Fashion Photography & Styling class tomorrow, rather excited actually. More photo's soon. 

Seafood Paella

With the snow outside, heating on full blast and copious layers of cashmere to keep nice and toasty, there is nothing better and more warming than a delicious home cooked meal. 
I am an absolutely sucker for seafood and with a fresh delivery from The Paella Company, what better to make than Seafood Paella. 
Packed full of flavours and in such glorious colours, doesn't it just make you want to move to Spain. The Paella Company, are thankfully here for mean time (before we all decide to move to Seville and become ex-pats). We received a delivery from them earlier in the day containing all sort of Spanish produce and everything you need for a glorious paella.

In my house we cook for the thousands, so just ignore the portion sizes in the photo's.

Here's what you need to feed about 4 hungry tummies;

1 red onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
4 boneless chicken thighs, diced
1 chorizo sausage, sliced
400g bomba paella rice
pinch of saffron
seasoning
chicken stock
pepper
paprika
50g pimentos (you can get a jar of these)

Fresh seafood (of your choice):
large madagascan prawns, not peeled
scallops
mussels
calamari
prawns, peeled

Start by frying the boneless chicken thighs in the sliced chorizo (no need to add oil as the chorizo produces plenty to share). When the chicken is browned place it in an over proof dish and cook in the over for about 30 minutes at 150°C (so whilst the rest of the paella is cooking) to cook through. 

Chuck the chopped onions into the pan with the chorizo and when the onions turn translucent add the rice and all the seasoning (pepper, paprika, valenciana seasoning etc). Make sure all the rice is completely coated in all the juices, onions and chorizo, but stirring it all up. 

Finally, over the next 20 minutes, add the stock bit by bit stirring thoroughly, ensuring that it is all mixed together evenly. When making the stock be sure to add the saffron to the boiling water so that it will infuse evenly throughout the paella. 

About 5 minutes before the dish is finished add the seafood (if you are using frozen seafood then make sure its completed defrosted before adding it to the mix). Lastly, just before serving, add the chicken from the oven and stir it all together, and you're all ready to plate up.

Now our paella pan is the size of the entire hob but if you don't have your own paella pan, a wok should do the same trick (or check out The Paella Company to get your very own pan).

Finger licking good! 
Serve up with a crisp Spanish white wine or a Corona & lime for the perfect Spanish night in.