Tune Tape Tuesdays #10

So I have a confession to make. I have no new music for y'all this week. I know, I know...but I've been a bit busy what with New Year, my birthday, and actually leaving my house to see people that I just haven't gotten round to it. However, rather than leaving you empty-handed and tune-less (or even worse, frantically finding some mediocre music last minute), I've decided to share with you some of my favourite songs for the late-night "fuzzy tingle times" (Mighty Boosh. Crack Fox. Nice). And to introduce it, I thought of none other than the 'Worst DJ in History' from Love Actually: "Now here's one for the lovers: there's quite a few of you - I shouldn't be surprised...and a half." Please enjoy responsibly.

The XX - 'Crystalised'

Love,
Belle x

Wish List Mondays #10 - Men's Fashion Special

There's no escaping the fact: Christmas, New Year, and the holidays are over. We're now a whole week into 2013 - it's time for normal service to resume again. But let's not make it too predictable, shall we? A new year is the perfect time to dabble in the unknown - which is exactly what I've done for this week's Wish List. Inspired by sale shopping with my boyfriend in Harvey Nichols (after dragging him through screaming harpies in handbag hell, naturally), and aware that my weekly Wish Lists aren't very male-friendly, I have tried my hand at not one, but TWO all-male, very macho Wish Lists. So here to promote counter-feminism (masculism?) and equality for both sexes is the first Wish List of 2013. Males rejoice!

Casual

1. 'Hype' Tshirt, Topman, £25. Believe the hype, here.

2. Leather-Trimmed Camouflage Jacket by Junya Watanabe, Mr Porter, £810 (was £1,350). Stand out by blending in, here.

3. Plaid Shirt by Bee Line for Billionaire Boys Club, Coggles, £75 (was £150). Go mad for plaid, here.

4. 'Billionaire' Sweatshirt by Billionaire Boys Club, Coggles, £125. Wanna be a billionaire, here.

5. Contrast Pocket Tshirt by Publish, A Shop Called Wood, £32 (was £40). Animal instincts, here.

6. 'Free Jazz' Sweatshirt by Red Ear, Coggles, £63 (was £125). Jazz it up, here.

7. Leather Headphones by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Harvey Nichols, £135. Hell for leather, here.

8. Suede Brogue Sneakers by Junya Watanabe, Mr Porter, £310. Go for brogue, here.

9. Blue Chevron Watch, Triwa, £119. Watch out, here.

Smart

1. Light Grey Cotton Sweater by Maison Martin Margiela, Mr Porter, £250. Be Mr Grey, here.

2. Pink Shirt, Reiss, £37 (was £75). Real men wear pink, here.

3. Velvet Blazer by Lanvin, Mr Porter, £1,430. Velveteen Rabbit, here.

4. Navy Chinos by Slowear, Mr Porter, £190. Wear the trousers, here.

5. Elkington Satchel Briefcase, Mulberry, £750. Back to school, here.

6. Embroidered Velvet Slippers by Versace, Harvey Nichols, £425. Slip(per) into something more comfortable, here.

7. Straw Panama Hat by Lanvin, Harvey Nichols, £295. Hats off, here.

8. Umbrella with Inner Check by Burberry, Flannels, £190. Under your umbrella (ella ella), here.

9. Fox Head Cufflinks by Burberry, Mr Porter, £165. Get foxy, here.

10. Glasses by Cutler & Gross, Mr Porter, £295. Geek chic, here.

Well lads, it's been nice. Maybe we'll make this a monthly thing...what do you say?

Love,

Belle x

Happy Birthday to Me

Yesterday I turned 22. Birthdays, like Christmas, come but once a year. I like to take advantage of this by stretching out the anniversary of my birth a few days - so celebrations started the night before with a trip to the theatre. I'm lucky to have a boyfriend who actually listens when I talk, so months ago when I mentioned that I'd love to see The Woman in Black (having already seen the film adaptation), he stored it away in his thinking cap for a rainy day. This was the rainy day. Off we went to Covent Garden to the Fortune Theatre to be scared out of our skin for the next two hours. For those who don't know, The Woman in Black has been described as "the most nerve-shredding play in the West End". Simple, uncluttered staging encourage you to utilise your imagination, and in turn, this amplifies your fear considerably. If you haven't seen it, check it out - it's a definite experience!

After a very late-night drinks party, I managed to drag myself out of bed and awake my boyfriend. Desperately in need of food and fresh air, we headed out once again to Covent Garden...

How?!

...to visit my favourite Mexican Restaurant: Wahaca. Dotted around London, the restaurant in Covent Garden is a brightly coloured underground cavern; a hive of activity with amazing smells hitting you left right and centre. Meeting a few friends, we sat down and immediately wanted to order everything on the menu... (unfortunately I was too distracted by my hunger to take my own pictures, but I managed to find some on Wahaca's FB page)

Fennel-Covered Pork Scratchings

Passion Fruit & Hibiscus Cooler

...we started with Fennel-Covered Pork Scratchings, served with Guacamole dip. Sounds weird, but probably the best combination I've tasted in a long while. I sipped on a Passion Fruit & Hibiscus cooler, while the boys drank Mexican Beers. Our appetites still raging, the boys ordered a couple of plates of 'Street Food', while I chowed down on a Pulled-Pork Burrito and an Avocado and Pumpkin Seed Salad...

Pulled Pork Burrito

Avocado & Pumpkin Seed Salad

Our stomachs feeling very content, we wandered back through Covent Garden. Having spent my Summer in France gorging myself on macaroons, I couldn't resist stopping to pick up dessert for dinner at...

Scurrying back to Chelsea, we took a trip down the Kings Road to pick up ingredients for my Birthday Dinner. For starters, I served my friend's Dad's recipe of 'Prawn Pate', followed by a Garlic & Rosemary Stuffed Leg of Lamb for main - with Sautéed Curly Kale, Twice-Cooked New Potatoes & Spring Onions... 

With his permission, I give you:
Jimbo Jones's Perfect Prawn Pâté
(Serves 6-8 (or 4 very hungry human hippos)

You will need: Prawns (preferably soaking in brine)
Pancetta (crisped up under the grill)
1 Full Fat Tub of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 Packet of Garlic & Herb Boursin
2 Cloves of Garlic (crushed)
Finely Chopped Parsley
Lemon & Pepper to taste (no salt needed)

Simply mix all the ingredients together and serve with toasted baguette. Calorie-laden heaven.

Garlic & Rosemary Stuffed Leg of Lamb

...but a birthday wouldn't be a birthday without presents! When my parents arrived with a GIANT BOX, I knew it was gonna be good. First I unwrapped a very pink, very girly, bottle of birthday champagne...

...before tentatively untying the ribbon on my big white box. Inside this big, white box, was a big, brown bag. Inside this big, brown bag was another box. Inside this box was a large, felt bag. And finally, untying this bag revealed my very own Mulberry Bayswater - wishlisted all those weeks ago! 

Isn't it gorgeous?!

Let's just say this: if Carlsberg did Birthdays, they'd all be like this one. Thanks to all who made my day so special - the year has gotten off to a most magnificent start.

Much love and Happy New Year,
Belle x