On the 7th Day Of Christmas...

Swans a-swimming...

Tim Walker

On The 6th Day Of Christmas...

Six geese a-laying

Tim Walker

On the 5th Day Of Christmas...

Five Gold Rings!

Au Revoir!

After years of dreaming, I'm finally going to Paris tomorrow morning and will be back in Blighty on the 2nd January! I literally cannot contain my excitement! It's one of those cities I've always wanted to go to, but it wasn't until I watched Amelie that I felt I had to! If you haven't already watched the film... you need to Google it right now! The soundtrack alone is beautiful, I could literally watch the film with my eyes closed and be happy! Our hotel is actually in  Montmarte, where the movie is set...eeshk!!

To get myself into the Parisian spirit, I've spent the last few weeks eating a ridiculous amount of cheese and watching different French movies, (even The Hunchback of Notre Dame an embarrassing amount of times!) But, I've saved the piece de resistance for tonight... Moulin Rouge! Since 'voulez vous coucher avec moi' is the extend of my French, it seems rather fitting. I'll make sure I bring back plenty of goodies to review, I'll be rooting in all the pharmacies!

 How are you spending your New Years Eve? Have you made any resolutions? Mine's to be more like Stevie Nicks.

90

To celebrate the final Friday before NYE, here are some snaps from the masquerade ball last spring which celebrated 90 years of Vogue Paris.

“It’s just great that people really played the game,” editor Carine Roitfeld said. “You can’t recognize a lot of them because of their masks. I think that’s really exciting.”

Can I have this dance?

Christmas Sales Haul

Boxing Day sales are renowned within the blogosphere for being one of the best shopping days of the year. But, since I'm down in London the shops are naturally extra jam packed and well... confined spaces + a panic attack prone person = a recipe for disaster! I tried two years ago and it was literally handbags at dawn! I learnt to never come between a sleep deprived woman and her dream arm candy!

So, yesterday was materialistic torture, as I couldn't help but trawl through blogs to see everyone's bargains. I went to Bromley this afternoon with my fingers crossed and was surprised with all the left over hidden gems I managed to find! So, expect plenty of beauty reviews soon...

I've been lusting over Rituals eye-shadows for the past few weeks, so I was like a bee to honey when I noticed they were half price! I picked up this light lilac shade in 'Amethyst Touch' which is part of their new gemstone makeup range. The original price was £10.90!

Next was Accessorize, most sale items were 50% off... music to my ears! But, it was soon clear that their best bargains had been taken. I did, however, pick up this cute mustache car air freshener for my friend. At £1.25, you can't really go wrong!

Jumper: Barnardo's charity shop £4

I also picked up this mini evil eye necklace for £6 whilst I was in Accessorize. Although it wasn't in the sale section, it instantly reminded me of the many Greek evil eyes dotted around my Dad's house, I had to get it!

I have to say, this years Body Shop sale was definitely better than last years! Pretty much all my go-to products we're on offer, but since I need room in my suitcase for my Paris goodies. In the end, I just got this tote for £2. I practically had to be dragged me away!

As my beloved Tweezerman tweezers broke this summer, I treated myself to a new pair today. This lilac pair was just £12.50 (compared to the standard sized £21.50 price tag) as their a smaller size, ideal for your makeup bag!

I was slightly skeptical to buy these MUA products as, a £1 eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrow pencil and £4 eye-shadow pallet seemed too good to be true! But, I thought I'd give them a go. I chose their new 'Heaven and Earth' pallete, which consists of a combination of cappuccino and latte shades. I chose the eyebrow pencil in 'Brunette', lip liner in 'Red Drama' and eyeliner in 'Royal Blue'.

And hey, if the liners are no good, I'll go as Aladdin Sane for New Years!

I could literally create an entire blog solely based on Lush products! There's nothing better than soaking in a hot bath after a long day with a relaxing bubble bar in! I was like a kid in a sweet-shop this afternoon and made a beeline for their 50% off section...

I bought this 100g limited edition Ponche shower gel as it was just £2.13! It's inspired by the traditional Mexican Christmas punch and even has a shot of tequila in it! Ay ay ay!

I only picked up one more item that was on offer, this Christmas Eve bubble bar for just £1.48!

I couldn't walk into Lush without buying my beloved Karma bubble bar! (£3.15)

I've been dying to test out Lush's cleanser 'Herbalism', after reading tonnes of rave reviews! I picked up a 100g pot for £6.25!

As we were queuing to pay, my Dad picked this up and said they'd named a shower gel after me! So, he treated me to this 'Happy Hippy' shower gel for £3.25!

One of my favourite things about Lush has to be the shops funky vibe!...

Did you head out on Boxing day to catch the sales? Did you find any bargains?

Blooming Bakery #1 Tiropita (Feta cheese filo pie)

Over the last few years, it's become a tradition for my dad and I to cook Feta cheese pie when I come down to London to visit him. We spent this afternoon cooking up a storm, and I've spent the rest of the day devouring each scrumptious pie after pie, but... je ne regrette rien! 

I thought I'd share the recipe with you guys, so you can try your hand at them. If you do, don't forget to send me photos of your cheesy creations! We tend to follow my grandmothers recipe as though it's the gospel truth, but since I got my dad a Greek cook book for Christmas, we thought we'd put its Tiropita recipe to the test...

page 72

Ingredients list:

- 3 tablespoons of olive oil

- 2 onions, finely chopped

- 3 eggs

- 2 tablespoons of chopped dill

- 250g (8 oz) of feta cheese, crumbled

- 2 tablespoons of milk

- 24 sheets of filo pastry

- 125g (4 oz) of butter, melted

- salt and pepper

Serves: 6

Preperation time: 30 mins

Cooking: 40 mins

As we were feeling particularly greedy (and after all, it is Christmas) we ended up doubling the ingredients list, (except the filo pastry and butter.) First, crack your eggs into a mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt.

Next, add the dill and mix everything together.

Now, add all the Feta cheese into a larger mixing bowl and use a fork to brake down the Feta. We always add 4 large tablespoons of milk which makes the consistency easier to mix.

Next, finely chop the onions. My grandmother used to swear by the old wives tale of keeping your onions in the fridge before cutting them, as it apparently makes them irritate your eyes less.

Add your egg mix to the feta and stir it all together.

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and fry the onions on a low heat, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Then add the onions to your feta.

Melt your butter in the microwave for approximately 1 minute.

Brush your tin with the melted butter using a baking brush.

Now, stack six layers of the filo sheets, ensuring that you brush each layer with the melted butter.

Then, layer the feta mix and spread evenly across the filo pastry.

Repeat this process three times, remembering to constantly re-brush each filo pastry sheet with the melted butter.

Once you've finished this process, bake the pie in a preheated oven at 200c (400 F), Gas Mark 6, for 40 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and leave the tin in the oven for ten more minutes.

After cutting your Tiropita into generous squares... they are ready to serve! Kali Orexi! Bon Appetit!