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.
Friday, 26 May 2023
Cottagecore Kitchen Finds
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.
Thursday, 25 May 2023
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!
Tuesday, 23 May 2023
The Cottagecore Spring Dress Edit
- All links in this blog post are affiliate links. For more info please head to my disclaimer. -
'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:

Thursday, 13 April 2023
3 Flowers To See In Bloom This April
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
Saturday, 1 April 2023
Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Bun Recipe
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!
Thursday, 16 March 2023
Spend or Save: Beauty Edition
Know When To Spend or Save
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:
Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Spring Cottagecore Home Decor

Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Maison Margiela Whispers In The Library

Thursday, 2 February 2023
Valentine's Day Gift Guide With Boots UK
- AD: This is a paid collaboration with Boots UK, however all thoughts are my own -
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?
Tuesday, 17 January 2023
Winter Dark Academia Outfits
