This Is How We Do It...

...Christmas that is. Said in the tone of Mr Montell Jordan in the unforgettable 90's hit:

Every family has it's own ritual, but this is ours. Small as it may be, I'm more than willing to share. So here you have it - the Clare Christmas Extravaganza!

Merry Christmas from Squeaky and Oliver Bear!

Stocking Goodies

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Japes!

Papa C & Moi

Buttered Brussel Sprouts - a Papa C. Speciality

Intense Concentration

Tally Ho! 

Sex on Fire.

Look what Santa brought me!

Wherever you are, I hope you had a fantastic Christmas and Santa brought you all you had wished for.

Much love,
Belle x

Holiday Survival Guide

Unless you're an 18th century orphan, have been disowned, or are doing Xmas with 'the other half' this year, most of us will be at home for the holidays. While Christmas is essentially a time for family and "sharing the love", we all know this time of year can be a breeding ground for stress, awkward family politics, anger, and - sometimes - tears. To help you manoeuvre this tricky period, I have put together a little list of the Pros & Cons of the Festive Season to prepare you for any potential home-grown disaster...

All picture credits: theoatmeal.com

Merry Christmas to you and your families, I hope you have a great one.

Love,

Belle x

Wish List Mondays #9 - Christmas Style

So it's rolling round to that time of the year when everyone and their cat seems to be holding some kind of Christmas-themed shindig. This can be a hard time for fashion, as no-one wants to go dressed up as a Christmas pudding, but feels after all those mince pies they might be beginning to look like one. Well help is here - these pieces have been hand-picked to last you and your food baby right up until Boxing Day. So down that eggnog and max out your credit card - you won't regret it.

1. Bah Humbug Jumper by Zoe Karssen, Net-a-Porter, £95. Don't be a scrooge, click here.

2. Blue T-Shirt Satin Maxi-Dress, Topshop, £58. Feeling blue, click here.

3. Red Box Bag by Mark Cross 1845, Matches, £1,650. For when you win the Christmas lottery, click here.

4. Antler Ear Headband, Topshop, £8. Channel your inner reindeer, click here.

5. Red Low-Rise Skinny Jeans by Current Elliott, Matches, £265. Invest in some festive cheer, click here.

6. Chandelier Earrings, Accessorize, £12. (Faux-)Diamonds are a girl's best friend, click here.

7. Gem Beaded Cami-Top, Topshop, £36. Sparkle like a Christmas star, click here.

8. Paisley Jacquard Skirt, Topshop, £60. Make them green with envy, click here.

9. Lomography Dreamer Camera, Urban Outfitters, £50. To capture all those Christmas moments, click here.

10. Red 'Susanna' Boots by Chloe, Matches, £850. Red hot heels, click here.

11. Christian Dior 'Diorific' Lipstick in Marilyn, Selfridges, £25. Christmas Hollywood Glam, click here.

12. Nude Contrast Strap Stilettos, River Island, £70. Lengthen your credit card bill and your legs, click here.

Merry Christmas Folks! 

Love,

Belle x

Tune Tape Tuesdays #8

Tomorrow I am holding a Christmas Party. I am very excited about it and want you all to know. Parties mean different things to different people. My idea of a good party is a group of friends coming over, getting crunk, and dancing around my coffee table. Yours might be more mellow, or involve male strippers - each to their own. But what is a party without music?

This week I've compiled a playlist of songs guaranteed to get any party going, whatever your personal preferences. Top of this list is Gyptian's Hold Yu, which I defy any sane human being not to shake their moneymaker to. The next four are for those who like to sway to the beats of Drum&Bass - special mention to Alphabet Pony, who's a friend of a friend. Trust me, he's gonna be big. Bachelors of Science's Song for Lovers is also one of my favourite songs of all time, so no hating on that please. The next four tunes are for those of you who think you're pretty cool and alternative. Your parties may feature people with ridiculous haircuts and/or monocles - these tunes are a bit different, just like all of you! For those in the know, What So Not is actually Flume's alter-project, and is more dancey/high energy than his usual offerings. After these, we have three songs for those of you that like to turn your home into a nightclub for the evening. These songs demand much enthusiastic fist-pumping and booty-shaking. Credit must go to Goodwill & Hook n Sling for managing to successfully transform one of my favourite indie songs by Angus and Julia Stone into a great house track. Finally, for those of you that like to party sitting down with their friend Mary Jane, the final four should pair perfectly with your substance-induced mood. Whatever your party partiality, let loose and enjoy this Tune Tape...and Merry Christmas!

Love,
Belle x

Christmassy Courgette, Chilli & Chorizo Linguine

I haven't done a recipe in a while, so I thought I'd put one up. Pasta is something I usually associate with Italian summers, but this dish looks rather Christmassy, and makes you feel all warm inside on those dark rainy nights. It costs pennies to make, and uses up those sad-looking leftover vegetables in the fridge - win win all round. It makes enough for 2 very hungry people, or 3-4 for lunch. Here's how to make it...

You will need:

1 Large Courgette

1 Onion

1 Curl of Chorizo

2 Small/1 Large Chilli

1 Punnet of Baby Plum Tomatoes

As much Garlic as you see fit

Linguine

Oil

Salt

Pepper

Cheese for topping - I like Mozzarella or Parmesan.

1 Frying Pan

1 Saucepan

What to do:

1. Put on a large pan of salted water for the linguine, with a splash of oil (so it doesn't stick).

2. Crush the garlic and finely slice the chillies. I like to de-seed mine a little so it's not too spicy, but if you like it hot, leave them in.

3. Chop up the courgette and dice the onion. You should get something like this:

4. Once the water's boiled, pop in 2/3rds of a pack of linguine.

5. Heat some oil in a pan and add some salt and a good few cracks of pepper. Once it's hot, add the garlic and chilli.

6. Wait for the garlic to go a little golden (shouldn't take more than a minute) before adding the courgette and onion to the mix. 

7. After about 5 minutes, the onions should be nearly see-through and the courgette still be a bit firm. Like this:

8. Now's the time to turn the heat down a little and add the tomatoes and chorizo.

9. You basically want to warm the tomatoes through - not so much that they burst in the pan, you still want them to hold their shape. Turn the heat off when it looks like this:

How Christmassy does this look?!

10. Once the pasta's cooked, drain, and add to the frying pan with a knob of butter, or an extra drizzle of oil. Gently fold everything together so it looks like this:

11. Pour some wine, get a bowl and serve up!

12. Top with your favourite cheese - I didn't have any parmesan, but I chopped up a mozzarella ball and sprinkled that over with some herbs.

13. Et voila! Christmassy Penny-scrimping Pasta - so you have more to spend on your loved ones.

Buon appetito!

Love,

Belle x

Tune Tape Tuesdays #7

As my last two posts have been Christmas-themed, you might be mistaken for supposing that this Tune Tape would supply you with some jingles to deck the halls to. Sorry folks, but I don't do Christmas Music. There's enough being blasted from the speakers of every department store/Christmas Market in the land - you don't need any more from me. However, because I'm a people pleaser, I'm giving you my favourite Christmas album: Music from the OC Mix 3. Just click here (you're welcome). 

Ok, back to business. This week you lucky folks are getting a Tune Tape of seventeen kick-ass songs! They're arranged so you can work up from chilled to head-banging in one musical swoop. First up this week is Josh Heinrich's cover of Adele's Set Fire to the Rain. You might recall a few Tune Tapes back (hello) was a compilation of my favourite covers - well this one has got to be added. It gives the song an entirely new lease of life, and makes you better appreciate the original plus the work that Josh has put in to make it speak for itself. Yellow Red Sparks's Monsters With Misdemeanours is also worth a mention for its multi-dimentional and layered sounds, as well as the great chorus lyric "I'm just sick of the monsters that we chase every day". If this is what Indie music has evolved into, then I'm very glad. Another cover comes in the way of Cyril Hahn's Touch My Body, the Mariah Carey song that you might recall c.2005. Thankfully, the song sounds nothing like the cheese-stuffed original, and is actually pretty damn sexy. Chromatics's new single Cherry features this week - a mature departure from their first major single (Kill for Love). It's deeper, darker and generally more well-rounded and enjoyable, even though the lyrics are far from uplifting. I first got introduced to Clean Bandit back in January with their tune Mozart's House. Their new song, A&E, is along the same format - mixing classical samples with rap and electric beats. Sounds strange, and it is, but it works; you'll never have such a fun time with classical music. Funky House comes curtesy of the two Bit Funk remixes, which I have been found guilty sauntering down the street to. These songs turn any sidewalk into a catwalk, so make sure to work it baby. Liquid Drum&Bass is covered by remixes of Blu Mar Ten vs Erykah Badu's You Got Me, and Reflekt's Trance anthem Need to Feel Loved, both of which will chill you the fuck out while you battle the army of Christmas shoppers. With Dubstep becoming so commercial, it's getting harder to find stuff that's new and original, but I'm pretty sure I found some gems with Urban Contact's Aurora and Elliot Berger's Hanging On. Rather than being Skrillex-esque filth, they're more classy and restrained, and are as much a pleasure to listen to through your headphones as on huge speakers. Finally, we have Diplo & Grandtheft's Trap remix of Florence & The Machine and Calvin Harris's Sweet Nothing. Diplo manages to turn everything he touches to audible gold, and this track is no different. Never thought I'd be trap-stepping to Flo, but life is full of surprises. 

Time for me to shut up and for you to listen - enjoy!



Let me know what you're listening to this week!

Love,
Belle x

Wish List Mondays #7 - Christmas 2012

It's roughly three weeks til Christmas, so I thought now would be a good time to put up my Christmas Wish List - just in case there are any Secret Santas out there feeling a little generous... This year I've gone quite monochrome in my wishes; think Holly Golightly if she lived in London 2012. Joint Number One on my list are Mulberry's Bayswater in Black & Nickel, and a new camera - after much umming and ahing I've plumped for the Samsung NX100 (to take much more professional photos for LBELB, of course). It's also 1 month until my birthday, just if anyone's wondering/forgotten (Mum)...

1. Black & White Bone Zig Zag Photo Frame, Urban Outfitters, £20. I frame everything. Give it here.

2. 'Black Pearl' Eye Palette by Bobbi Brown, Selfridges, £42. Smokey Eye Heaven. Give it here.

3. Black Crystal Collar Dress, Topshop, £42. Because black is slimming, and Christmas is not. Give it here.

4. Black Suede High Heels with Printed Platform, Office, £75. To wear with No.3. Give it here.

5. Black & Nickel Bayswater Bag, Mulberry, £895. A classic big enough to carry all my shit. Give it here.

6. Samsung NX100 Interchangeable Lens Camera, Amazon, £240. Because I'm a happy snapper. Give it here.

7. Vanilla Birthday Cake All-in-one Shampoo, ShowerGel & Bubble Bath, Philosophy, £14. I like to get baked the legal way. Give it here.

8. Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, Waitrose Direct, £14. Mix with coke. Give it here.

9. Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum, Waitrose Direct, £18. Mix with lemonade. Give it here.

10. Moët & Chandon Pink Champagne, Waitrose Direct, £40. Filthy Feminine Fizz. Give it here.

11. Jasmin Candle, Diptyque, £38. Smells like Sydney. Give it here.

12. Mini Cooper Hatch, new from £11,870. Well a girl can dream. Give it here.

What are you hoping for this Christmas?

Love,

Belle x

Xmas Gift Guide

Woo it's December! Which means there are only 24 shopping days left until Christmas. Feeling a little daunted? Never fear, Belle is here. To give you some help/inspiration, I've put together some Xmas Gift Guides - Mum, Dad, Boyfriend... it's all here, with handy links for you to order online. So with no more ado, here is my 2012 Xmas Gift Guide. Happy Holidays, y'all!

Mum

1. Mirrored Photo Frame, Laura Ashley, £21. Photo of yours truly optional, here.

2. 'Courtney' Satin Clutch, Anya Hindmarch, £395. Channel Versailles chic here.

3. Freshwater Pearl Necklace, John Lewis, £85. Every discernable lady needs a string of pearls, here.

4. Light Blue Cashmere and Silk Stole, Hermès, £610. Feeling blue never looked so good, here.

5. Tiffany Gemea Watch, Tiffany & Co, £1690. Be fashionably on-time, here.

6. Black Leather iPad Case by Smythson, Net-a-Porter, £325. Case closed, case reopened, here.

7. Black Patent Pumps, Salvetore Ferragamo, €330. Invest in a classic here.

8. New York D-Frame Metal and Acetate Sunglasses by Prism, Net-a-Porter, £260. Eyes are the window to the soul, so frame them fashionably here.

9. Laser-cut Leather Wallet by Alaïa, Net-a-Porter, £515. Monochrome madness here.

10. Babyliss Big Hair Rotating Styler, Amazon, £35. Get that blow-dried look every day, here.

Dad

1. James Bond Complete Collection, Amazon, £50. Keep him occupied this Christmas here.
2. Font Michelle Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Waitrose Direct, £25. Because wine-not (geddit), here.
3. Box of 3 Stag Hankerchiefs, Not On The Highstreet, £17. No-one likes a Mr Sniffles, here.
4. Silk Twill Tie, Hermès, £135. All tied up, here.
5. Wool-Blend V-Neck Sweater by Slowear, Mr Porter, £225. Festive and fashionable, here.
6. Rugby Stripe Socks, Crew Clothing Co., £8. Christmas might by Holy, but socks shouldn't be...here.
7. Round Chain Link Cufflinks, Hackett, £85. Link up here.
8. Plaited Leather Belt, Mulberry, £175. To let out after Christmas dinner, here.
9. Mole-Cognac Washbag, Mulberry, £175. Practical and smart, here.
10. Wooden Wine Rack, John Lewis, £100. To hold all that Christmas booze, here.

Boyfriend/Brother

1. 1001 Albums To Hear Before You Die, Urban Outfitters, £20. 'Make Love and Listen To The Music', here.

2. iPad Mini, Apple Store, from £270. For gadget geeks, here.

3. Breaking Bad Seasons 1-4, Amazon, £37. Get him hooked here.

4. Leather Wallet, Polo Ralph Lauren, £75. Spoil him with style, here.

5. Tickets To Muse, Ticketmaster, from £50 each. Because if he doesn't like Muse, he's probably gay, here.

6. Odeon Gift Cards, Odeon Theatres, from £5. Grab the back row here.

7. Platinum Egoïste Cologne by Chanel, The Perfume Shop, from £45. Your nose will thank you, here.

8. I'm A Twat Mug, Urban Outfitters, £9. An Honest Mug, here.

9. Customised High Tops, Adidas, £100. Personalised love, here.

10. Soundlink Air Digital Music System by Bose, Amazon, £270. Let the Bass Cannon kick it, here.

11. Wireless Headphones by Stark, Apple Store, £350. Look! No Wires! Here.

Best Friend/Sister

1. Chain Detail Patent Leather Ankle Boots by McQ Alexander McQueen, Net-a-Porter, £370. These boots were made for walking, here.

2. Vogue Subscription, Vogue Magazine, £20 for 10 Issues (plus Free Gift). Sign her up to the Fashion Bible, here.

3. Eye Palette in Prism, Topshop, £16. The eye is the limit, here.

4. Made in Chelsea Box Set, Amazon, £19. For the Sloane Ranger, here.

5. Chloe by Chloe, The Perfume Shop, from £39. Heaven scent, here.

6. Grey Skull Friendship Bracelet, Links of London, £135. Because friendship never dies, here.

7. Cat Ear Headband, Topshop, £9. Cat got the cream, here.

8. iPod Nano 16GB, Apple Store, £129. Music makes the world go round, here.

9. 'Colours' by Forrest Lucero Framed Art Print, Urban Outfitters, £35. I think of you in colours that don't exist, here.

10. Oliban Holiday Candle, Diptyque, £45. Smells like home, here.

11. Kate: The Kate Moss Book, Urban Outfitters, £50. Girl crush galore, here.

Girlfriend

1. Wallet in 'Cameo', Prada, £285. Make her blush, here.

2. Pink Gold 'Love' Bracelet, Cartier, £4,050. Say it like you mean it, here.

3. Sex and the City Box Set, Amazon, £25. For those 'off days', here.

4. Lace and Ribbon Lingerie Set, Topshop, £26. As much for your benefit as hers, here.

5. A Trip To Paris, Eurostar, from £170 for Two People (Hotel Included). Ah, l'amour, here.

6. 'Sex Bomb' Bath Bomb, Lush Cosmetics, £3 each. Dive in, here.

7. The One by Dolce & Gabbana, The Perfume Shop, from £38. 'She's The One', here.

8. 'Au Palace' Crystal Heel Satin Sandals by Christian Louboutin, Net-a-Porter, £1,095. Love the Louey-B's, here.

9. Pink Champagne Truffles by Charbonel & Walker, John Lewis, £10. Give her a mouth orgasm here.

10. Pink Leather Jewellery Box, Smythson, £845. Pinktastic, here.

(Unnumbered (doh)). Roses Candle, Diptyque, £38. Because roses really smell like...roses. Here.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Belle x