Sunday 29 December 2013

New Years Eve Outfit Inspiration.

It's coming up the busiest party night of the year, New Years Eve, and I thought I'd share with you all a little outfit post for the big night.

Skater Dress With Scallop Lace- Asos Curve- £24.50
Selena Gold Mesh Box Clutch Bag-New Look-£15.99 
Black Floral Lace Tights-Evans-£8
Loop Drop Earrings-Marks & Spencer-£9.50
Gold Plated Clasp Fastening Bracelet- Marks and Spencer-£12.50

Lydia
x



Saturday 28 December 2013

2013: My Year in Instagram Pictures.

Well, Christmas is over already, and that means one thing...A New Year. I have taken inspiration for today's post from Sunny Sweet Pea and her post 'My Year In Photos' However, as you can see from the title, I have adapted it to my Instagram photos, my number one stop for sharing my photos. So here it is; my year in photos:


January started with a late-night train journey home in the snow to see Tilly's first experience of snow. It was so funny seeing her go crazy!



March included a one night stay in Birmingham, ok, it was for a night-out but I still managed to see the city.




April was spent seeing friends, loving student life, and cycling round Cambridge.



I was still enjoying Springtime in Cambridge in May, and snapped this picture of Pembroke College on the way to meet up with friends there.



June, 12th, the day I spent about 3 hours in A&E after a lovely day at work, and being halfway through a friend's birthday celebrations. Silly me, I slipped and fractured my fibula. When I woke up that day, I did not have any ideas that I would have to stop studying, and move home 2 days later.



After 2 long months, in the hottest summer England's had, in a knee-length cast, I was finally allowed to wear a pair of shoes, trainers, with a ankle support thing on (hidden under my jeans).


After starting a new job in September, Settling into normality in October, I took a day trip to Portsmouth in November. A lovely day, going  up the Spinnaker Tower.


And here it is, Ending the year with a wonderful Christmas Dinner, Served straight away when I finished work.

I hope you have enjoyed looking through my year, if you want to follow my instagram, my username is; thelittlelifeoflydia. Here's to 2014!

Lydia
x


Thursday 12 December 2013

Last Minute Secret Santa Gift Idea.

This week at work, I was kindly reminded that I had been put into the Secret Santa. I pulled out my recipient, A lady who seems lovely, but who I don't know very well. I went food shopping after work and picked up her gift. A little bag of goodies, totalling £4.93. The budget was £5 so I was thoroughly chuffed with my spend.



The gifts in the bag include a lovely miniature bottle of Kendermanns Spec Edition Riesling, which looks a lot more expensive than the £1.50 price tag.

A lovely wine glass which came in at 50p.

The next part is job specific, a tube of Palmer's Shea Butter Hand cream for £1.93, an essential for a nurse, who is constantly washing their hands!

To add another treat, I picked up a tube of Pink Smarties, these were £1.

I bought all of these from Asda, and I dug around in my home for an old gift bag and some tissue paper, then I put it all together.

All ready for delivery!

Lydia
x

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Dark Chocolate Truffles.

I've recently fallen in love with chocolate truffles, and, because of this, I thought I'd share my recipe for dark chocolate truffles. These are very simple to make, and the method is split in half. Making it perfect for starting them, then finishing after a long winter's walk.

All you need is:
  • 280g Dark Chocolate (70% Cocoa),
  • 290ml Double Cream,
  • 50g Unsalted Butter,
  • 200g Milk Chocolate,
  • 200g White Chocolate,
  • 100g Icing Sugar.

Simply chop up the dark chocolate into small pieces, and put into a large mixing bowl.


Then, heat up the butter and cream together in a saucepan, until the butter melts, and the cream starts to bubble.

Pour the butter mixture over the dark chocolate, and stir until all smooth.


Cover, and chill for at least 4 hours.

After 4 hours, put put the milk and white chocolate into separate bowls, and melt them. Then pour the icing sugar into another bowl.

Cover your hands with a little sunflower oil, and start rolling the truffle mixture, immediately covering it with one of your toppings.


After finishing all of the truffles, put them back into the fridge for another 30 minutes+.

Then enjoy! I enjoy these truffles in the winter with a nice, hot glass of mulled wine!



This recipe typically makes around 30-40 truffles (depending on the size of them)



Lydia 
x

Friday 6 December 2013

December's Christmassy Dozen

Now it's December, I thought I would create my dozen especially for the Christmas lovers out there.

There are some 'not exactly Christmas songs' but they are songs I love during Christmas.

Lilly Allen- Somewhere Only We Know
Download: iTunes

Maria Ferrante- Ava Maria
Download: iTunes

Bing Crosby- White Christmas
Download: iTunes

Christina Perri- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Download: iTunes 

Choir of King's College Cambridge- Once in Royal David's City
Download: iTunes

Eartha Kitt- Santa Baby
Download: iTunes

Lady Antebellum-Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Download: iTunes

Kelly Clarkson- Run Run Rudolph
Download: iTunes

Michael Buble- It's Beggining To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Download: iTunes

Andy Williams- It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
Download: iTunes

The Ronettes- Sleigh Ride
Download: iTunes

The Pogues- Fairytale Of New York
Download: iTunes

I hope you enjoy listening to my Christmas Playlist. 

Lydia
x