Cream Tea in the Orchard

Imagine finding a little peaceful nook in amongst the busy modern life, where you can sit back surrounded by trees covered in blossom, read a book, sip on cordials and indulge in a cream tea with sweet jams and thick Cornish clotted cream. The deckchair you are sitting in creaks as you lean back, the dark green fabric moulding itself to your shape and allowing you to completely relax your body for once. Happy children play in the grass, friends chat and take photos around you, and you close your eyes and feel the early spring breeze sweep over your skin.

This is how I spent one Saturday afternoon this March, a couple of weeks ago.

After a lazy start to my weekend in Cambridge, we decided to embrace the warmer weather and to go for a walk to a small place recommended by a friend. It was a gorgeous day, and as we made our way through the city of Cambridge and along the river, I took in the spectacular architecture of the buildings, watching locals and tourists punting on the water. We wandered along small quaint country lanes and past the cutest cottages, until we found ourselves in fields, dodging the odd family dog and balancing along cattle grids. The air smelt fresh, the sunshine dispersed with cooling winds, and I felt peaceful, happy that spring had finally come and enjoying the freedom of the weekend.

We eventually found ourselves in a small place called Grantchester, at a place called The Orchard.

The Orchard is a famous little haven just outside of the city of Cambridge, well known amongst residents and the student population. Its website describes it as a 'corner of England where time stands still' and that is exactly what it is. You walk through a small gate to find a secluded area away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. A small cluster of buildings are situated at the edge of a little orchard where dark green deckchairs are scattered beneath the branches. Families, friends and lovers sip on tea, refresh themselves with cordials and indulge in delicious sandwiches and cakes, all in the same spot where numerous men and women of fame and fortune have relaxed before them over the decades.

The Orchard has, in fact, been host to many famous faces over the years. A  tea house unwittingly created in 1897, it attracted many literary greats after Richard Brooke wrote a poem about it, as one of his favourite places. Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes all sat beneath the branches of the orchard and, in more modern times, John Cleese, Stephen Fry and Stephen Hawking have all taken tea in that very same spot.

I couldn't imagine a better location for afternoon tea, especially for an ex-English student!

We settled down with our giant fruit scones, Cornish clotted cream and adorable pots of jam into the deckchairs beneath wiry, wizened fruit trees. It was busy, but not so we were unable to find a space, and the garden area was full of life. The cream tea itself was delicious - nothing beats fresh cream and jam, and I washed mine down with a delightful raspberry lemonade. It was just what I needed after a long walk in the spring sunshine!

In that moment in the orchard, with the first spring air and life all around me, I felt genuinely happy and at peace with the world.

If you want to find out a little more about The Orchard at Grantchester, you can find it all on their website. There is so much more to their history, and I urge you to take a look and read all about the great story behind its humble beginnings.

If you're ever in the area, or are having a weekend in Cambridge, I urge you to take a moment to walk to The Orchard and enjoy a break in a true English paradise. It's the perfect place to take some time out, spend a moment with a loved one, or even take a second to be by yourself.

It's official, spring is here!

What have you been enjoying most about spring's arrival?

Jo

xxx

 

Making Sorted's Chicken & Chorizo Pie

I've been a big fan of Sorted ever since my second year at university.

Their inspiring, innovative and delicious recipes are always a sure-fire win with me, and I've made a few of their dishes over the last few years. My favourites include their Jambalaya (I really, really recommend you try it!) and Stroganoff, which I made for my whole house in my Third Year of university. I even interviewed them for my university student magazine, which went down a storm!  However, since I started following their work, they've gone from strength to strength and there are so many meals, desserts and treats I have yet to try. My 'to cook' list is growing quickly.

I'm not the most confident of cooks, but I find their recipes easy to follow and really inspiring - the think I love the most is that they focus on fresh ingredients - no ready-made sauces or packet mixes here! It's the perfect way to earn how to cook.

So, naturally, when I was looking for a meal to cook on Valentine's Day last month, I headed over to their website and trawled through their recipes, suppressing my own hunger and trying to find the perfect meal. Could I master Moroccan chicken? Singapore Noodles? Or perhaps a classic Beef Bourginon?

Then I saw it. It was simple, sounded delicious, and would test my skills a little. It also combined one of my favourite foods with my boyfriend's favourite ingredients - what could be better?

If I had to pick one last meal before I died, the likelihood would be that I would choose pie. Pie has always been one of my ultimate comfort foods, sweet or savoury. In a similar vein, my boyfriend can't resist a bit of chorizo, especially since our trip to Spain a  few years back... so when I saw the recipe for Chicken and Chorizo Puff Pasty Pie, I knew I had found The One.

This is the final result...but I want to share my experience of cooking my first ever savoury pie!

I just had to share this recipe with you all; I won't be posting it on here, as it's not mine and I want Sorted to get all the credit. You can find the recipe over on Sorted's website here.

I found the recipe really, really easy to follow. I got myself organised; chopping all the ingredients up so that all I had to do was follow the rest of the recipe with ease - something I recommend doing if, like me, you're a fan of getting organised and you're a novice chef!

I found all the ingredients easy to find, and loved the fact that I had left-over leeks and runner beans which I added to meals later in the week - it's a great way of changing routine.

The recipe, after my preparation, was all very straightforward, and I didn't have any mix-ups or problems. Since there were only two of us, I guessed the quantities to make a slightly smaller pie; this still left us with leftovers, however, which my housemates enjoyed immensely!

I also loved the fact that there was no shame in using pre-made pastry. Puff pastry is a pain to make and I've only just mastered simple pastry, so this shortcut made it even more simple and has reassured me that making a pie really isn't as scary as it seems. All you need is a filling, and a roll of pastry to place carefully over the top.

Pies allow for a little decoration too, so I loved making my pie relevant to Valentine's Day, adding little hearts and cute twists to provide the finishing touches. The key is in presentation, and as a perfectionist and a creative soul I like my food to at least look great, even if I'm not confident on the taste.

One thing I will say is be careful about where you put the pie in the oven. The pastry rose so much that it hit the next 'level' of the oven and I had to move it down - just leave plenty of space for it to rise and puff up!

Once it had cooked, the pie came out beautifully golden, soft and rich. The flavours went so well together, and I just couldn't get over how good it tasted! I would never have put leeks and runner beans with chorizo, but everything combined so well and it was incredibly moreish. I would have happily ordered it at a restaurant - but thanks to Sorted, I was able to make it on my own! My boyfriend loved it too, and I now plan to make it again for my family when I visit home over Easter. I may even put a twist on the ingredients, trying out different combinations. I am sure this would make a fantastic chicken and mushroom pie, or even turkey and bacon.

Let me know if you end up making this; I'd love to know how you got on. I cannot recommend this recipe enough! 

Jo

xxx

 

Bangers at Bill's, Cambridge

I've been eyeing up the menu at Bill's for weeks. Their delicious-looking breakfasts and diving main courses are plastered all over Instagram accounts and twitter feeds, and their praises sung on many of my favourite blogs. So when I was in Cambridge last weekend, where else could I go for dinner?

After a wonderful day of walking around in the spring sunshine, beneath blossom-coated trees and among the daffodils (a la Wordsworth, naturally) I found myself heading towards Bill's in Cambridge, my stomach rumbling and ready to be treated to a delicious dinner.

We stepped inside and were shown to our seats after a mere five minutes wait; excellent for early on a Saturday evening!

The restaurant was quirky and exciting, and had a fantastic atmosphere which immediately made me feel as though I was in for an excellent evening. I fell in love with it instantly; the walls were lined with chalkboards covered in recipes, brightly coloured jars of jam and marmalade, and a delightful array of groceries which I just couldn't keep my eyes off, including some lovely looking french cordials and amaretto biscuits. It was bustling, busy and vibrant, and I felt incredibly welcome and very, very happy.

It didn't take long for me to decide my meal of choice. Usually, I spend forever poring over the menu, tempted by the many options catching my eye. However, as soon as I was handed the Specials menu, my eyes rested on one dish, and I settled there and then:

Bill's Bangers 'n' Mash, char-grilled Cumberland sausages with 

a goats' cheese mash, onion gravy and crispy onion rings.

Now, who on earth could resist that?! I'm not normally one for opting for a meat dish, and I don't eat a lot of pork, but this absolutely screamed comfort food. If any of you reading this know me well, you will know I can't resist mashed potato... and when paired with goats' cheese? Well...my mouth is watering again at the thought!

I also ordered a glass of house white (I'm not picky with wines, and the house wine sounded fruity, which is just what I like) and settled back to enjoy the atmosphere. My boyfriend ordered their 'Sugar and Spice' marinated half chicken, which also sounded divine (and was my back-up option) and we also asked for a bowl of olives. The menu was extensive and unique, and there was something for everyone - I could imagine that this would be a great place to come with a big group of friends!

Bill's offer a range of groceries, which all look delicious, and hark back to its humble beginnings as a grocery store. You're able to order your shopping while you eat too, with a small leaflet allowing you to select your choices; a member of staff will collect your order form and gather your groceries while you eat, delivering them to you at the end and the cost is just added to your bill. I thought this was a brilliant idea and had to stop myself from ordering the entire wall next to our table - maybe next time!

Unfortunately, our olives never arrived... but the main meals were served very quickly and we had no time to mourn our loss! Thankfully, the waitress was very kind, apologised for her mistake, and deducted it from our bill. These things happen, and I was too excited about my main meal that I didn't mind at all! There was no fuss, and we barely had to wait anyway.

Now, I warn you...the photos don't make it look especially appetising, but I really have to say that this was one of the best, most indulgent servings of Bangers and Mash I've ever had. I could have eaten it twice, or thrice over!

Trust me, it looked even better in real life and tasted like heaven.

I am not the biggest fan of sausages, but these were incredibly tasty and of a high quality - no nasty bits of gristle or fat, with a fantastic herby taste. The mashed potato was absolute heaven. I would never have thought to put goats' cheese in mash, with a little bit of leek, but it worked so well and I will definitely be trying it myself! 

I also had it on good authority that the 'Sweet and Spicy' chicken was delicious too, as were the sweet potato fries which accompanied it. Ok, I'll admit, I had to have a little taste - but I wasn't going to say no! The chicken was dreamy - not dry at all, and succulent with excellent taste.

Our meals finished, we declined the pudding menu, finished our wine, and (after paying the bill of course!)  headed out into a fresh spring evening to walk home with a tub of frozen yoghurt from a new frozen yoghurt shop called Chill.

I've given up chocolate for lent, so I chose cherry yoghurt topped with honeycomb and raspberries. It was tasty, but I don't think it was worth the £4 I ended up paying - still, it satisfied my sweet tooth! I think, however, I'll be sticking to Snog or Pinkberry.

It was the perfect end to a perfect day, and I'm currently counting down the days / weeks / months until I can head back for one of Bill's breakfasts. I can definitely see why it's so popular! Fortunately Bill's are all over the place, especially in London, and restaurants are always being opened in new locations.

You can find menus, locations and grocery items on Bill's website HERE.

Jo

xxx

 

Happiness is...#6

Life seems to be running away with me at the moment; I spend my days at work, weekends on trains visiting loved ones and evenings are spent at the gym, food shopping or catching up with friends (it's a bit of a problem when you live at least an hour away from most of your friends and family!) So I just haven't had a chance to let it all sink in, let alone write some posts about it! But I promise to get back to normal soon. After all, I'd rather take my time and write better content than just churn out any old rubbish just to hit self-made deadlines. Quality over quantity, right?

Anyway, I'm going to have a quick look at what's been making me happy over the last fortnight. It's another way of making sure that I realise life is wonderful, especially when I am having a bad day or two. Noticing the little things which make you smile is just another way to look after your wellbeing, and to keep you happy - no matter how simple or silly!

So, what's been bringing a smile to my face recently?

I decided to treat myself to a couple of spring items to jazz up my wardrobe. I bought a midi navy blue skirt and a very pretty burgundy oriental kimono shrug, as well as a pair of gorgeous heeled sandals, all from Primark. I can't wait to wear them all in warmer weather!

Have you tried the Love Bar Latte from Pret a Manger recently? It's basically a caramel coffee biscuit in a mug, and tastes as good as it sounds. I enjoyed mine during a little coffee break while shopping with my housemate. Delicious.

I enjoyed a blissful bright pink bath and face-mask one evening last week. It might sound simple but it's a proven favourite with fellow bloggers!

It was obviously Pancake Day (or Shrove Tuesday) last week too, and I indulged in two topping flavours; blueberries and strawberries with melted dark chocolate, and (of course!) lemon and sugar! I ate four in total but I did have to stop myself. I'm thinking that pancakes are too good to be eaten annually...am I right?

I started reading Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project and absolutely love it so far. Watch out for a review on here once I'm finished.

Spring sprung suddenly this weekend, and I was able to fully appreciate it when I was in Cambridge; there were blossom and daffodils everywhere, and I even enjoyed a cream tea in an orchard. I'll be blogging about this soon too!

What's been making you happy recently?

Jo

xxx

 

Falling in Love with Yourself - Blogger's Advice

In my last post on this subject, I opened up about the importance of giving yourself a little TLC; being kinder to yourself, and focusing on your own wellbeing. This post is a little simpler, but I think a little advice goes a long way, so I hope you enjoy it!

In this fast-paced, frantic life it is becoming more and more important to make time to indulge in making yourself happy, even if it means just taking five minutes out of your day to focus on what you want, rather than aiming to please everybody else. Being a little selfish (and notice I say a little) isn't always such a bad thing.

This got me thinking - how do other bloggers make sure they are looking after themselves properly? How do they comfort themselves, relax, and make sure that they are mentally and physically relaxed? In a world seemingly revolving around beauty products, skincare, candles and retail therapy, surely these creative souls have a few tricks up their sleeves.

I asked a few of my favourite bloggers this question:

And this is how they responded:

'I like a hot bath, with a fancy (overpriced) bath-bomb, a couple of candles, and a favourite YouTuber on my iPad, with an added face mask and hair mask. I follow this with a manicure and a fresh fake tan! If you look good, it helps you to feel good too!'

'Every Thursday I have a pamper evening and each month I make sure I treat myself to something new, either clothes or something for the house!'

'Eating fresh food, going for walks, drinking more water, soaking in the bath, listening to music and reading a book!'

'Disney playlists, catching up on my favourite blogs, herbal tea, knitting, using the sewing machine and listening to folk music!'

'I scrapbook, listen to London Grammar, turn off my phone, paint...maybe just being true to what I stand for and who I am.'

'I think it's important to set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate any achievement, now matter how small. Eat well and allow yourself time to rest and sleep without worry; you'll benefit from the TLC. Meditation can help before bed, and I always feel revitalised after a pamper session, a hot bath can mend a broken heart!'

'I make sure I spend time each day cuddling my cat, Darcy. Although it doesn't feel good at the time, I also try and bike daily; I feel good for it afterwards! I also make sure I spend time doing nothing with my fiancee, and reward myself with my favourite TV shows!'

'On a Thursday after work I have a long bath and read a book or magazine. Sometimes I'll use a bath bomb and I'll always want to fall asleep in the bath! After that I'll put on a face mask and paint my nails. It's become a bit of a routine!'

'I think making sure I have some me-time works really well - chilling out in a hot bath with a face mask on!'

'My boyfriend gave me the tip of always setting aside an hour a day of 'me time' doing something that I enjoy, this is normally scrolling through my favourite blogs or reading with a cup of tea.

I do think that waking up in the morning the right way is also really important. I've challenged myself to not check my phone/emails as soon as I wake up and instead to do a spot of yoga and practicing of mindfulness; which involves setting myself goals for the day and acknowledging what I want to achieve and also what I'm thankful for.

I think that in order to look after yourself you must start from within, and everything else will fall into place!'

Hopefully this advice will give you new ideas for relaxing and having some time to yourself; whether you're enjoying a face mask in a hot bath (a very popular choice!) or dancing erratically to the soundtrack from  Frozen. Just make sure that you fall in love with yourself first.

If you want to find out more about the lovely bloggers featured in this post, their images are all linked to their blogs. Happy reading!

What do you do to show yourself some love?

Jo

xxx

 

REVIEW: 'The Silver Linings Playbook' by Matthew Quick

When The Silver Linings Playbook was released in the cinema, I was keen to see it. As usual, however, time ran away with me, funds ran dry, and I never managed to go. Then the DVD went into my basket on Amazon, waiting to be bought. But, yet again, funds were low and I never got round to ordering it.

Then I received the book by Matthew Quick for my birthday in November, as a gift from my sister, who knows me so well! I couldn't wait to get my teeth into it, and vowed not to watch the film until I had read the book - as usual, the thought that adaptations of books into films are somewhat disappointing lingered in my mind.

So, for those of you unfamiliar with the story, let me introduce it to you.

Pat Peoples is from New Jersey, and worked as a History Teacher whilst living with his wife Nicki ... until he suffered severe brain trauma, and spent years in hospital in recovery. It seems that Pat also suffers from Bipolar Disorder, and so this novel is a keen insight into the world of Mental Health.

The novel follows Pat's struggle with the changes in his life since the incident. As the book continues, we learn more and more about what happened to Pat, his past, and the people around him. Because of this,everything starts to fall into place, and as observers of Pat's life we begin to see the reasons for his often absurd actions.

Pat believes in silver linings; in all things bad being followed by something worthwhile, and that if he lives life right by exercising regularly, and reading the right books, God will reward him with what he wants. I'm a firm believer in not giving away anything in my book reviews, so I won't say much more! But his life, in his mind, is a film; and this, for me, is what made the book so special.

Not only is it a candid insight into the mind of someone struggling with severe mental health problems, but the concept that life is like a film stuck with me long after turning the final page. The imagery used in the film, and the structure of the plot, make the book itself very filmic - it seems that Pat's views are not just embedded within the plot, but are within the form the plot itself.

It's something I've often thought about - the idea of leading your life as a film. I mean in a sense that, when you re-live moments or think back on your behaviour, you can view it as you would on the big screen; to ensure that everything you do would be worthy of a soundtrack, a red carpet, and maybe even an Oscar. This doesn't mean every moment has to be outstanding, dramatic, or momentous. But for you, it needs to be memorable. Unfortunately for Pat, this means a guaranteed happy ending just the way he wants it - but we all know life isn't always like that.

The Silver Linings Pat discovers are not always what you think they will be - they're not always obvious, and they may not occur when you expect them to. But they are, in the end, always there.

The book completely drew me in, leaving me wanting more. Having managed to avoid any 'spoilers' before reading, I was shocked at some of the revelations that emerged as the story went on. It was intriguing, since so many secrets were kept. We were able to react along with Pat when revelations were made. I loved this book, and will definitely be reading it again - I am also looking forward to watching the film, as I can't wait to see what they change, what they leave a lone, and how they portray the unique characters.

I thoroughly recommend reading this book. If you see it in a bookshop, grab it, sit down and immerse yourself. You won't regret it. I'm aware this review isn't the most in depth, revealing, or eloquent, but it's one of my favourite books, and I just can't do it justice.

Have you ever read Silver Linings? Let me know what you thought in the comments.

Jo

xxx

 

Lush Cosmetics: 'Veganese' Conditioner

After waxing lyrical to my Mum about my recent Lush purchase, Rub Rub Rub, I went home last weekend (for a little break) to a Lush bag sitting on my bed.

Inside was a tiny bottle of Lush's 'Veganese' Conditioner - a little treat and my first hair-care product from the company! I was so touched and couldn't wait to try it out, as I'm still utterly head-over-heels for anything Lush related (can you tell?)

'Veganese' is a lightweight conditioner which is designed to nourish hair 'without weighing it down'. It's not a heavy, overly creamy conditioner or an intensive mask, but instead nourishes hair, gives it shine and makes it healthy without coating it in too much product. It's ingredients include lavender, rosemary, seaweed and lemon - not scents I would usually put together, but this little bottle smells heavenly - fresh, clean and soothing.

With its promise of lightweight shine and a soothed scalp, I was instantly sold. I have struggled with a sensitive scalp from a young age, and it flares up with anxiety or poor maintenance, so this sounded like just what it needed. Sensitive scalp shampoos can be too medicinal for my liking, and despite my religious use of Neutrogena's T Gel when I have my 'episodes', sometimes it just feels like it doesn't do anything to soothe my poor head.

On my first morning back at home, after waking up to glorious sunshine after a night's sleep which you only ever get in your own bed,  I jumped in the shower, got lathered up, and reached for this little pot of goodness.

The first thing that struck me was how runny it was. This is due to my previous point about it being lightweight and not overwhelmingly thick. It surprised me, and I felt the need to put on more than I probably needed. I'm so used to thick conditioners! Now that's I've used it once I'll be able to judge the quantity I should be using a little easier.

Despite it's runny consistency, it felt rich in its own right. I smoothed it over my hair, working it between strands with my finger tips and left it for a few minutes as I washed myself.  It was very easy to wash out (as I expected) and I could instantly feel that my hair was softer and easier to manage - it didn't feel like I had any leftover product in there. I think this may be the best conditioner to use if you're trying to reduce the product build-up in your hair, or you want to give your scalp a detox without compromising on shine and nourishment!

It was a joy to blow dry after using 'Veganese', and after using some of Liz Earle's Nourishing Hair Oil on my damp hair before styling, it felt incredibly soft, healthy and looked very shiny. Granted, this was helped by the hair oil,  but the two combined  worked well and now my hair feels soft and weightless. It just goes to prove that natural ingredients can work like a dream!

I'm really looking forward to  integrating it into my hair-care routine. I used it again a few days later without extra product and my hair still felt soft and easy to manage, so it seems perfect for regular use - perhaps a must-have for those who wash their hair really regularly. It states that it is kind, gentle and simple to use, and my hair and scalp definitely seem to agree!

Do you use any of Lush's haircare products? Which are your favourite?

Jo

xxx