Cottagecore Kitchen Finds

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One of my favourite places in my home at the moment is this corner of my kitchen. The open shelves, mason jars and trailing houseplants just make my heart sing. In the Summer, I love to whip up a fresh batch of bread or a colourful, delicious salad, so I wanted to make sure I had a kitchen that I felt comfortable being in. 

Although I love pretty pieces in the kitchen, I like them to be practical too, so my excuse for my excessive dish collection is that it helps me when baking - that's what I like to tell myself anyway. I love switching items around depending on the season, so this Urban Outfitters Sunflower Bowl is perfect for Summer, whilst this Pumpkin Dish would be great for Autumn.  

I purchased the Kilner Spice Jars a few years back now and I love the way they're displayed on my open shelves. I used a Vintage Style Label Maker to make the stickers on them and I just love that they not only look pretty, but they're practical too. 

Wild Garlic Foraging + Butter Recipe

 

When I was younger, in my primary school days, I have a vivid memory of the local woodland having a strong wild garlic scent throughout April and May. Wild garlic, also known as Ramsons, are known to be a sign of ancient woodland and not only does it smell delicious, you can actually use it in food too. 

Now, I would recommend anyone looking to pick wild garlic, to have a read up on what it looks like and where's best to forage as there are similar looking plants that can be dangerous to consume. Once you're familiar with wild garlic, then grab yourself a wicker basket and get collecting the leaves. Never dig up the actual bulbs of the garlic as they have no use in cooking and instead it'll mean the plants won't grow back the following year. 

Wild garlic can be used in basil pesto, asparagus salads or it can be used inside homemade gnocchi. One of my personal favourite recipes is wild garlic butter which I'm going to share the simple and easy recipe with you today. 

Ingredients 

300ml Double Cream

Foraged Wild Garlic

Salt 

Electric whisk or mason jar 

Method

If you're using a mason jar, you need to pour your double cream inside and get shaking. You want it to separate until you have a lump of butter and buttermilk. 

I personally use an electric whisk. Starting on a low setting, mix the double cream until it becomes thick. You want to continue past the 'whipped cream' Staes until it separates into a solid butter lump and buttermilk. You want to save the buttermilk for future use (in chocolate muffins or pancakes!). 

In a separate bowl, add a few cubes of ice to water. Add the solid butter to the water and wash until any remaining buttermilk is washed out. 

Wash and dry the foraged wild garlic leaves thoroughly. Chop them up as finely as you'd like. 

In a separate bowl add your butter and then add the chopped up wild garlic alongside salt to taste. 

If you're not shaping your butter then you can pop this into the fridge. If you want to give it shape, then I place it in cling film and then roll up it's in the shape I want. 

Enjoy! 

The Cottagecore Spring Dress Edit

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'Cottagecore' still best describes my Spring and Summer wardrobe with lots of ditsy floral prints, soft fabrics and comfortable silhouettes. I've put together a list of some of my recent favourite finds, so if you're looking for a new Summer dress, then look no further. 

I often like to do a spot of window shopping at Sezane and I came across a couple of pieces that I think would slot into my wardrobe perfectly. I can imagine frolicking around the Summer fields in the Mayla Dress with my basket bike and the Marla Dress just screams a seaside getaway.  

The gingham print is perfect for Summer and I absolutely adore my new Hill House Daphne Dress which is a beautiful lilac shade. It has flutter sleeves and a shirred back detail which are both super flattering and comfortable too! Although I definitely stick to more understated pieces, I I can't help but luster after some more beautiful dresses like the Ivy City Co Flora Dress which I I feel like I need to have an excuse to wear - I think it'd be great for a garden party. 

Below are my other top picks: 

3 Flowers To See In Bloom This April

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When Spring rolls around, I feel so lucky to live in the UK as there's so many beautiful displays of different flowers to marvel at. Throughout the Spring and Summer months, there's so many flowers to see, from bluebells to wisteria, but today I am focusing on the one's you can see in April. Whether you're planning to take a look at them this year or you're saving this post for 2024, I hope you find some floral inspiration here.

Blossom

White blossom, cherry blossom, blackthorn, hawthorn or apple, there's so many different types of blossom in the UK, it can be hard to keep track. Blossom can be seen amongst hedgerows or as beautiful trees, but all I know is a I like to soak up every second we have with them. My personal favourites are the chunky pink blossom trees as I love when the petals come fluttering down onto the ground. You can find these in pretty villages, parks and of course local gardens. Here are some places that I've seen that look spectacular: 

• Doddington House and Gardens
• The Stray, Harrogate
• Greenwich Park

Daffodils

I'm certainly cheating putting daffodils in this line up as you can usually see them from as early as the end of February right around til mid-April. I thought they had to be included in this post so you save them for next year's bloom watch. One of the first flowers to come out in Spring, these yellow flowers are often see in the English countryside in small bunches, but at stately homes and gardens, they tend to be planted in excess, so they're well worth a visit in the Springtime. Did you know that there are up to 25 different varieties of daffodils and they daffodil field can continue on blooming for decades. Below are some places to check out: 

• Waddesdon Manor
• Stourhead House and Gardens
• Wimpole Hall
• Thriplow Village
• Chatsworth House

Magnolia 

Magnolia came out in April this year, but word to the wise, it's best to keep an eye out for them in late March also. Pink and white magnolia are the most common and their bell shaped petals make for a unique display of flowers often in large trees with draped branches. Some magnolia petals are even edible (double check the ones you can eat before doing so!), tasting almost gingery and can be used for pickling. These trees can be seen all over the country for a wonderful display of colour. 

Other flowers to keep an eye out for: 

• Wood Anemone 
• Rhododendrons 
• Tulips
• Gorse
• Camelias 

Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Bun Recipe

It wouldn't be Easter weekend for me without sampling a hot cross bun and this Spring, I decided to make my own. This recipe can be adapted to including fruit like raisins or cherries instead of chocolate, but for me, I love the soft buns paired with the sweet double chocolate chips. These are super easy to make and a great baking activity to get stuck into this Easter. 

Ingredients (Makes 8):

For the buns;

450g Strong Bread Flour 

7g Fast Action Yeast

50g Golden Caster Sugar 

1tsp Cinnamon

1 Egg

50g Butter

250ml Milk of choice (I used almond milk)

25g White Chocolate Chips

25g Milk Chocolate Chips

 

For the crosses;

50g Plain Flour

1tsp Granulated Sugar 

8tbsp Water

For the glaze;

4tbsp Golden Syrup

1tbsp Water

Method

In a large bowl, mix together your strong bread flour, sugar, yeast and cinnamon. Make a well in the middle. 

Melt your butter and leave until slightly cooled. Then warm your milk until it feels lukewarm. Neither should be too hot to touch.

Pour the butter, milk and egg into the well of the dry ingredients and stir the dough with a wooden spoon until it comes together. 

Flour a surface and tip out the dough. Knead the dough for 10 minutes. Adding a little bit of flour if it gets too sticky.

Place your dough in a clean bowl and cover with a tea towel. Leave for 90 minutes or until doubled in size. 

After your dough rises, flatten out the dough slightly on a floured surface. Spread out half of your milk and white chocolate chips and then knead them in. Once incorporated, flatten out the dough again and spread the remaining chocolate chips, then knead again until they're distributed evenly.

Line a baking tray big enough for either all 8 buns or line two baking trays big enough for four buns in each. You'll be leaving the buns to rise again, so you want to make sure there's enough room. 

Divide the dough into eight equal portions and shape the dough into buns by rolling them. Leave covered for 30 minutes to rise again. 

Pre-heat your oven to 200c. 

Then mix together your flour, sugar and water mixture for the cross design. Spoon into piping bag and slowly pipe the crosses onto the top. 

Bake your buns for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top. 

Once they come out the oven, mix together the golden syrup and water for the glaze. Brush them until shiny and then leave to cool. 

Enjoy! 

Spend or Save: Beauty Edition

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I've gone from someone who has to have the latest new-in beauty products to someone who thinks a little bit more about what she's purchasing especially when it comes to makeup and skincare. Here are a few of my tips that I've used recently to help save me money when purchasing new beauty products: 

Know When To Spend or Save

This may sound a little too simple, but I've found over the years that I know which products work best on the high street and others that I would like to spend a little bit more on. If you know that high street mascaras just work for you, then that's a great way to save, whilst if you know that going high end for your foundations work best, then that'll save you money in the long run instead of shopping around the high street wasting money. I've personally found over the years that I get a lot more use out of single eyeshadow or blusher than I do a whole palette worth of them, so I tend to shop individually, saving me money (and space in the makeup bag!) in the process. 

Try Out Samples 

As someone who used to be very much of a "splurge" on beauty products kind of person, I've definitely embraced trying out samples of products before committing to the full size. This enables me to make sure that the colour suits me the best, the formula suits my skin type and that I'll actually use it enough to make it worth the money. 

Look For Discount Codes

I rarely shop online without looking for a discount code. I'll check the brands social media accounts first to see if there are any exclusive codes for that day and then I'll check out Love Discount Vouchers to make sure I'm not missing out on any deals. Even if it's 5% or 10%, it's great to save a little money when you purchase anything online. Sometimes this will include signing up to a newsletter or collecting points on a card to use later. 

Dupes

Another great way to save on your beauty products is looking for dupes. Whilst sometimes the original can be the best, there are lots of dupes out there to try first which can end up saving you a lot of money. My favourite dupes have always been the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams being a great alternative to the Jouer Long Wear Lip Crèmes, whilst the NYX Born To Glow Illuminator was once a fantastic dupe for the now discontinued, Nars Copacabana Illuminator. I've previously written about them in a past blog post of mine 'The High End Alternatives That Won't Break The Bank'. 

If you're looking for inspiration on what makeup dupes to go for then I would check out more swaps below: 

Spring Cottagecore Home Decor

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It's official - Spring is on it's way! With daffodils blooming, lambing season underway and the evenings getting lighter, I think it's safe to say that Spring is just around the corner. Along with my excitement for the return of cherry blossom and pretty dresses, I'm most delighted about the 'cottagecore' aesthetic resurgence.

I decorate my home for Autumn and Christmas, making the colder months in my home feel like a cosy haven, so when the the warmer months come back around, I like to switch out those deep, rich colours for fresher, lighters ones. The first way I've been doing that is introducing new cushions in my living room and bedroom. I'm a fan of using cushion covers as they're easy to put away and take up less space. These Dunelm Stripe Ruffle Cushion have been a welcomed addition as I have both the blue and yellow shades to add contrasting colour to my room. 

You'll all know by now the love I have for seasonal duvet covers, but after years of my La Redoute Polka Dot Duvet Cover being a favourite every Spring, I thought it was about time to pick up a new one. I found a similar duvet cover to the one I have on my bed, but in a gingham version which I think is super cute (and under £20!). 

Obviously I have a bit of an overhaul of the kitchen once a new season approaches, swapping out my Winter mugs for Spring ones on my display rack. I've also been eyeing up some new bowls, purely for aesthetic purposes. This Daisy Plate is adorable for light lunches, whilst this Strawberry Bowl would be great for snacks and nibbles. 

Maison Margiela Whispers In The Library

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If Dark Academia was a fragrance it would be Maison Margiela Whispers In The Library. Described as a 'bottled memory of paper and waxed wood', this fragrance embodies the feeling of being immersed in the pages of a book. I wasn't initially going to give this perfume a post of it's own, but after the amount of compliments I've gotten since wearing this, I thought it was only fair. 

When I first chose out this scent, I was torn between Whispers In The Library and Autumn Vibes, the latter feeling like it would suit me best purely by name alone. It was surprising to me when I finally decided on Whispers In The Library, but I couldn't deny how delicious it smelt and how beautifully it lingered on my skin - I could even smell it on my clothes several days later. 

I've owned a couple of Maison Margiela Replica fragrances before and they've never disappointed me, so although they come with a hefty price tag, I find I don't make my way through the bottle at the same speed as I do other perfumes. Like their other fragrances, they always pick the perfect name for each scent and I love that each perfume is made to replica the feeling you get from certain places and events in time.  

With both woody and vanilla notes, this perfume would be great for everyone as I think it's sits differently on the skin depending on the person. It's warming and rich without being too overpowering and the subtle sweet vanilla scent really cuts through the other notes. When it comes to perfume, they have to be long lasting to make me fall in love with them as I hate spritzing on a new perfume, only for the scent to disappear less than an hour later. This lingers for as long as you wear it and the compliments I've received has definitely been a bonus! 

Have you tried a Maison Margiela Replica perfume before?

Valentine's Day Gift Guide With Boots UK

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Valentine's Day is no longer just about celebrating love between a couple because there is now Singles' Day or Galentine's Day to get stuck into, so no one is left out! If you're looking to gift yourself, a friend or a loved one a present on February 14th, discover Valentine's Day Gifts at Boots for the best inspiration. 

A fragrance is always a great present option no matter who you are gifting. Perfume is a great gift for yourself, a partner or a friend. There's lots on offer at Boots, so luckily there's something for everyone. The Versace Dylan Turquoise EDT is a new one to me, but I already know who I'm going to gift it to. The light floral scent feels like Spring in a bottle and the bottle itself is beautiful - perfect for someone who likes to display their scents on a dressing table. I think perfume is rather personal, but whenever I receive one I always feel grateful that someone has thought of me. 

If you're gifting a boyfriend, then I would also recommend a fragrance as I know how hard it can be to buy for them. With a wide range to choose from, it can be overwhelming knowing which one to buy. The Issey Miyake L'Eau d'issey is a good scent for all, whilst the Tom Ford Black Orchard is one to splurge on. 

If fragrance isn't your thing, then check out Valentine's Gifts For Him for more inspiration at Boots as they have a wide variety of grooming and lifestyle products to choose from. 

If you're shopping for Galentine's Day this year then there is a wide range of Valentine's Gifts For Her to choose from at Boots. One of my favourites is the Too Faced Double The Sex Mascara Set as it's perfect for the "one for you, one for me" presents. If you're gifting for a friend, I think this would be a great option and it's the same price for two mascaras so I think this is a no brainer. 

If you're going for a meal out with your friends then I always think it's a good idea to treat yourself to new makeup and the Fenty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer is new to my collection - perfect for making your lips look sparkly this Valentine's Day. I chose the shade Fu$$y which is a beautiful pink shade and I would personally pair it with a champagne, sparkly eye for a full flirty look. 

A pamper and makeover on Galentine's Day is definitely up my street, a perfect way to spend time with your friends and appreciate your friendship. The Soap and Glory Glorious Discoveries will have everything you need for some TLC from head to toe, making sure you're scrubbed and moisturised. Then after you're done with prepping your body, you can finish it up with the Drunk Elephant The Littles set for your skincare routine. This set has a cleanser, moisturiser and two serums to try out, all in a miniature size which is perfect if you want to try out Drunk Elephant products without committing to their full size. 

Are you celebrating Valentine's or Galentine's Day this year? 

Winter Dark Academia Outfits

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Dark academia is a popular 'aesthetic' that draws inspiration mostly from literary works. The cable knit jumpers, checked skirt and trench coats of this style make it one of my favourite style of clothes to wear in Winter. Whilst there's no rules when it comes to clothes, the dark academia aesthetic definitely leans more towards oversized collars, plaid prints and brown muted tones. I feel like it's all about romanticising what you wear in the colder months and for me, the dark academia wardrobe feels like you've stepped out of The Secret History or Pride and Prejudice. 

A trench coat feels like a must-have and I personally love my houndstooth print similar to this Mango one as it goes with a variety of outfits, but always looks well put together. Another piece you have to have in your wardrobe is a checked skirt especially one that can be worn with a chunky cable knit jumper. 

I always scour through Etsy when looking for some unique finds and I found this Gingham Dress by a company called Literary Garments and I think it perfectly fits in this aesthetic. One of my favourite brands on Etsy is Hearts and Found and their Mary Dress in Walnut Linen looks like it'd fit in my wardrobe perfectly. 

If you want some Winter dark academia outfit inspiration then I have compiled a list of my favourite finds below: