Tick tock: au revoir to my 20's

Sometimes it's hard to ignore cliches, assumptions or the constant reminders from friends and family that your 20's are nearly over.

Despite only experiencing 3 so far, I can say that this last decade has been the best. It's not necessarily been that happiest all the way through but despite it's ups and downs it's been full of firsts, lasts and everything in between.

I made a 'before 30' list a few years ago and didn't stick to it but I don't regret that because I was obviously busy with something more important. I do feel like I want to pack as much into my final 20's Month as it's just about as much as I'm willing to commit to.

So, with the inspiration from a few fellow 29-ers who have blogged about similar (the brilliant Holly Brockwell, the stationery queen, and the amazing writer/blogger Paul Schiernecker ) here it is:

Rollerskate backwards without holding my little sister's hands

Paint a picture that I can give to my Mum

Learn a real song on the violin - not just the Game of Thrones theme 

Visit 1 more new country

Read 'Cider with Rosie' - the copy my Grandad bought for my Grandma

Go on a road trip without a plan or map

See a gig where I can scream the lyrics 

Have a boozy picnic until the sun goes down or the liquor runs out

Write letters to those who I've lost touch with - make up before the new decade begins

Re-create 10 years old - movies, good and companions

Finish the novel you started at 21

Take photos of the places that broke and mended my heart

Make a trifle and eat it from the bowl

Have a photo night and dig out the pictures that wouldn't have made it to the 'aww weren't we always adorable' post on Instagram

Speaking of Instagram aka my favourite social media platform; complete a photo a day challenge. Including the day of the big 3.0. 

Look into my family history - I'm desperate to know whether my Nana worried about 30?!

Be brave enough to share a song on the guitar outside of my house.

Cycle 50 miles and try to understand why the mister loves it so much.

Stay up and watch the sunrise. Just once. And not complain that the day will be wasted if I sleep in after.

Enter a competition - and try to place.

Volunteer - if only for a few hours. Try to give something back to someone else.

Get back in the saddle. Literally. On the horse. (Terrifying) 

Visit Shoreditch house.

Go clubbing. Pre-drinks, pre-pub, club, post drinks then food.

Watch 'Ronin' - finally.

Spend a day in my PJs playing computer games.

Go blonde. Or at least less brunette. *gulp*

Take a dance class. 

Cook for my Aunts. (Aka the best cooks in the family).

Re-watch SITC. Start to finish. Prepare for 30.

Re-watch 'Girls'. Mourn my 20's.

Vlog the list. And have the guts to upload it.

Be away somewhere on my birthday and be grateful I made it thus far.

xoxo*

*pretty sure that's not acceptable in your 30's? 

Arrivederci Mr Ferrero: A dedication to Master Nutella

Yesterday may have been Valentine's Day but it was also the day that the world lost Michele Ferrero, son of the inventor of Nutella, Pietro Ferrero.

Those who know me, or have been into my kitchen, know that I love Nutella. It is my favourite taste in the entire world, it brings a smile to my face and I truly believe that hazlenuts and chocolate were destined to be best friends forever.


That being said,  it seems fitting that in honour of Michele and as a professional connoisseur of Nutella, to present a list of my favourite things to make with Nutella. Not as a tacky link to the passing of Michele but more as a tribute to his Father's legacy.



If you're as obsessed with the hazlenut/chocolate nectar as I am then let's toast to Mr. Ferrero and the joy he has spread over us and our crumpets!

#1 The Classic

Whether it's toast, croissants, muffins or crumpets (where the holes become pools of hot chocolate) the classic way to enjoy Nutella is to spread it over a warm baked slice over a thin layer of butter. (Yes butter, let's not pretend we're worried about our cholesterol).

#2 The Quick and Dirty

Controversial in my house is the quick and dirty approach.You take your jar of Nutella and a spoon and dip it straight in. Either choosing to coat the back and lick it off (ahem) or scoop it out and pray the molar pain takes a while to kick in. Best done in secret - trust me.

#3 The Dirty

As above. Minus the spoon. I'll leave it to you what you dip in there.

#4 The Fancy One

This involves baking. Nutella is a marvellous addition to a cake or a muffin. In fact you can pretty much replace any topping or filling with Nutella and hey presto you have a delicious cake. Top of your creation with a box of Ferrero Rocher arranged delicately in a row and you have an elegant and loyal cake that I'm sure would do the Ferrero empire proud.

#5 The Drink

You will need: A cup full of milk (sorry dairy-free readers, the clue is in the title, everything contains Nutella), a saucepan, 3 dessert spoons of Nutella (quantities are very approximate - use your Nutellabarometer), a dash of cinnamon and a milk frother if you're feeling fancy!

Heat the milk, stir in the Nutella, have some of #2 whilst you wait for it to melt, add the cinnamon if you like and pour into a huge mug.

#6 The Healthy-ish alternative

Cut a banana in half longways (think a banana split) and spread Nutella on both sides. Sandwich together and you have a delicious and arguably healthier alternative!

#6 The Big Dipper

I have to credit my Brother for this alternative to the measley Nutella dips or the "off of the 90's" Choc dips. Let's be honest, they are pitifully small and you can't get away with enjoying the kids snack when you're old enough to buy your own Nutella.

Welcome to the grown up, far classier version! Take one jar of Nutella, a fancy box of breadsticks (the fancier the better) and get dipping! You'll never have to worry about your Nutella to Dipper ratio again!

#7 Sir Mixalot

A mix of Nutella and Peanut Butter is quite incredible. If you're not snobby about mixing nuts then give it a try, you won't be dissapointed.

#8 The scientific test (to be continued)
This is the theory that nearly everything is edible if it's covered in Nutella. For me, this does hold up however I'll continue to do my research as a service to science and to other Nutella fans out there. Yes I've tried it on cheese. Yes, it was delicious.

Bon appetit my hazlenut and cocoa loving friends x

A happy new-ish new year

It's been a year since my last update which nicely ties in with the theme of this post. New year holds so much promise for a clean slate,  chance to draw a line in the sand - whether that's positively or because there have been mountains to climb and hearts to mend.

On this occasion New Year was a mix of happy and sad in equal measure. When the bubbles were long gone and the dance floor emptied the only thing that mattered was knowing that we were in this together; my funny little dysfunctional group of favourites and I. 

So in the spirit of my New-ish year attitude here is a little list of things that are not resolutions that come with a punishment if I don't stick to them but ideas and challenges to keep this year moving in a positive direction.

1. Learn to plan a little violin.

I bought a violin from eBay and the lady who sold it to me gave me a price of "learn a tune or two and come back and play it for me". The sweetest gesture but the pressure is now on to turn the tyre screech sound into something recognisable!!

2. Join a French class.

I used to speak French when I was very small. Actually quite well, but then boys, gigs and MSN messenger came along and I didn't have anyone to speak it to which has disappointed me for years. This new-ish year promise is to go back to school and re-learn what I knew when I was 6.

3. Get back on the horse.

At 17 I had a really nasty horse riding accident involving some bones, some bruising and very sore head. My sneaky husband has challenged me to literally get back on a horse this year and I hate losing a bet so watch this space.

4. 'Stop' drinking caffeine. 

The clue is in the name here. I've given up my 6-8 cups a day addiction and it's only February and it's been awful. I am half asleep on my drive to work and ready for bed at about 8pm but at least the blinding migraines have stopped at last.

Since giving up this delicious addiction I've read a huge amount about caffeine affecting your sleep, skin, heart and temper and if this is even slightly to be believed then even 'stopping' a few of my daily cups of instant will be a step in the right direction.

5. Stop punishing myself.

(It's impossible to feel sad in sequin ears)

I am without doubt my biggest critic. Whether it's comparing myself to someone else, scolding myself for forgetting to do something or for unintentionally doing something wrong, I will hang onto that feeling until the next thing comes up. It has to stop because there are enough people who can judge you harshly (the basic premise of Facebook) so I can probably afford to be a little kinder to myself at least to restore some balance.

I don't like the idea of this list being held over me like solemn rules or laws - I'm sticking to number 4 as best I can but should I slip up I will use number 5 as a mantra and just be glad I got to work at all!

I wish you the happiest of New-ish years and if you're feeling the pressure of impossible resolutions then refer to number 5 immediately.