Vegetable Pancakes

Having the mentality of a toddler, pancake day is one of the most exciting days of the year for me and the variations of types is beyond exciting. This year I discovered a new type; the vegetable pancake, whilst having dinner at a friends house. Initially, I was rather unsure about this combination, however, I must say this has rapidly become one of my favourite dishes and is perfect for a pancake day lunch or dinner. The pancake contains a selection of vegetables of your choice - my preference is carrots, broccoli and green beans - topped with passata sauce and mozzarella cheese.

To make the pancakes (I usually get 4/5 pancakes out of this mix) :
Mix -
250g flour
250g milk
250g water
2 eggs
Heat a frying pan with a little oil/butter until it begins to steam. Pour the batter onto the frying pan and allow to cook for a few minutes before flipping (you don't want to allow the pancakes to brown too much as you will cook these again later on)

Fill the pancakes with cooked vegetables of your choice and roll them up. Place these into a casserole dish or baking tray (you do not need to grease this), top with passata sauce and mozzarella cheese, then cook in the oven at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Once cooked, allow to cool before eating - they will be very hot! Enjoy!! 

Tartan Shift Dress

Dress and Coat - Zara

Bag - Topshop

Shoes - Boohoo

5 months on and this dress still remains my favorite garment in my wardrobe. I simply adore it. It's simply so easy to wear all year round and for any occasion; with brogues, a jumper over the top or dressed up with a pair of heels. It's just perfect! I wore this outfit the other day on a venture around London with a friend; Chelsea (the BEST Zara ever. oh my), Chinatown (still in awe at that food), Oxford Street and Carnaby Street. 

P.S. People in Chelsea actually have maids. Like proper, fully dressed maids. (see picture 3) 

Sun, Moon and Stars

Dress - Motel Rocks via ASOS

Necklace and Scrunchie - Urban Outfitters

Boots - Boohoo

This is an outfit which i wore on Friday night to go see To Kill A King with some friends. They're a great little band - think Tom Odell backing with The Maccabees' voice, basically perfection! This dress makes me severely long for summer, especially the back detailing (anything with a back detailing will captivate me instantly to be honest) and the print is something i love also. It will be perfect paired simply with chunky white sandals or brogues. 4 months.

Here's a few photos of the evening -

   

Jumper and Boyfriend Jeans

Jumper & Jeans - Topshop

Bag, Shoes, Socks & Necklace - Urban Outfitters

3 days back into Sixth Form and i'm back to hating life once again. The constant exhaustion and workload has returned, please can we just skip to Summer now! 

Anyway, basically this outfit compiles some of my post-christmas sale purchases i adore. The Topshop jumper is perhaps the most softest and comfiest thing i have ever worn - i just want to stay snuggled in it constantly. And the shoes just make me feel like i'm wearing my tap shoes and so i walk around the house tapping continually, any shoe which does this will immediately make me happy. Even if they far too greatly resemble my school shoes. 

Autumn Wishlist

1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 6 ~ 7 ~ 8 ~ 9 ~ 10.

I didn't realise quite how dark this collection was until i put it all together, evidently winter is rapidly approaching! Tartan, fluffy jumpers, tulle, leather.. i'm just loving the autumnal season so much currently. I just love everything here though and how well they all combine together to create such a vast combination of outfits. I've wanted a floppy hat for far too long now and am determined to get one asap. The shoes are just the perfect statement shoe to brighten up those simple autumn outfits (lets just ignore the ever so slightly high price tag). And glittery socks though, personally i think they're like beyond cool but then i do often have the mind set of a 2 year old... 

Lots of Love, Melissa xx

Raspberry and White Chocolate Cake

I made this cake a few days and, oh my it was soo so good! So good that there was no way i could not share it! The cake consists of a raspberry and white chocolate sponge, a white chocolate ganache to fill and top the cake and fresh raspberries to decorate on the top.

Ingredients:

200g Butter

100g White Chocolate

4 Eggs

200g Caster Sugar

200g Self-Raising Flour

200g Frozen Raspberries

For the ganache: 

350g White Chocolate

100g Whipped Cream


1) Heat the oven to 180°C / 160C fan / Gas Mark
2) Grease and line the base of two 20cm round cake tins.
3) Melt the butter and chocolate together, either in the microwave or in a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Once melted, allow to cool for 1-2 minutes
4) Beat in the eggs and sugar
5) Fold in the flour and raspberries
6) Pour the mixture into the tins and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean (note, the raspberries may leave residue on the skewer when pulled out due to their juiciness)

To make the ganache - 

1) Melt the chocolate, either in the microwave or in a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water

2) Boil the cream in a pan

3) Take the cream of the heat and gradually add the chocolate, stirring continuously until you are left with a smooth glossy ganache. Leave to cool to room temperature  

Once the cakes and ganache have cooled, sandwich them together with the chocolate ganache and coat the top with it also. Randomly pile the berries in the center of the cake and dust a small amount of icing sugar on the top.

Lots of Love, Melissa xx

Days Are Gone

Coat & Top - Zara

Skirt & Boots - Topshop 

Oh how I'm enjoying autumnal clothing. It's that perfect season where you're able to have great versatility within outfits - you're not restricted due to overwhelming heat or coldness. As i said, perfect. However, not quite so perfect for my bank account... 

This coat has to be one of my favorite buys recently. I love the boyfriend, slight cocoon shape of it and the leather collar which brings in that slight grunge-y edge. Its just a slight infatuation. The skirt is slightly more a-lined than in the picture which produces such a pretty shape. It will be perfect for layering with jumpers and woolly tights in the colder winter months. And the boots....the infatuation returns... 

And what is going on with my hair in the second photo...since when was i ginger?... 

Lots of love, Melissa x