Shock, Shock, Horror, Horror.. films!

Horror films were the staple ingredient for a sleepover when I was younger. The gorier the better. Films such as Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer and  Nightmare on Elm Street were always on the list among the rom-coms, scaring the crap out of us. Slashers and horror films were the best in the nineties and some of the ones in the eighties.

The old slasher films, I think, are so much better than the films we have now, films such as Paranormal Activity or Saw.  I know when you come down to it they do the same job, scaring the begees out of us, but the way in which they do it is not normal. I know horrors are by no means normal, but a part of the scariness is that it is not out of the realm of possibility, but the new ones it is just freaky that someone has thought of it.

Films such as Saw are usually described as torture porn, as the level of torture is gratifying to some degrees for those watching. Although these films are scary, the plot is usually very loose and I personally don't think as scary.

In the slashers of old the killer wasn't some psycho nut, they were the girl's boyfriend, a disgruntled friend  or the town loner. It was scary because it could be someone you know.  They also were gory but by no means as gory as some of these films now.

Ghost films such as Paranormal Activity do freak me out, I'm not going to lie, ghost stories are creepy the unknown, something which is far beyond our comprehension. But I am tired of these films. Slasher films the killer usually got their comeuppance at the end, e.g they usually die, which meant at the end of the film you felt a sense of relief. These ghost films leave you on edge and if you have watched them at home, alone, you freak out at the slightest creak or squeak.

Slashers are good for sleepovers as they make you jump and panic, then giggle at how stupid you have been. Torture films and ghost films leave you after with a heightened sense of fear, which is never fun.

I suppose I want a horror film that scares and thrills but doesn't leave me with nightmares for the next few weeks. I think it symbolises the times in many ways that the only way people can get their horror scares is by being disgusted.

Which I suppose leads me onto the more recent gore-fest Human Centipede one and two. The premise of which is a mad doctor who joins people by openings in their body to form a centipede. The second one was at first banned in the UK by the BBFC due to its content but has since been given an 18 with cuts made. I personally haven't seen the first one, because I don't see how you can get enjoyment, and at the end of the day that is what a film is meant to be a form of enjoyment,  from a film that is in such poor taste and disgusting. I know I cannot say too much as I haven't seen it but on the premise I really don't want to see it.

Also on my last moan but why do we have to keep remaking horror films?? They were good when they came out leave them alone!

That's it I like my horrors and feel they should be slashers, thrilling and chilling.

By the way Happy Halloween people enjoy your own horror films.

I went to London and visited Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model

I have to admit I haven't really watched the series, but me and my sister went to Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model Live at the Excel Centre,  London, last year and loved it. Who wouldn't love freebies, and discount fashion items.

We went to the catwalk show, which had twelve very fit male dancers and the girls walking down the catwalk in some great dresses. There was also some singers Bluey Robinson who was quite good and another band who were rubbish and I can't remember who they were.

The fashion show was really good though, I went last year and I do think this year was much better.

As well as the model and TV show element, there are also a lot of stalls of fashion and beauty items. Most on offer are online boutiques but there are also some big names selling items at discount prices.

If you are a bargain hunter you would love it!

Here is my load from the day....

So there is the goodie show bag, £5; the Cosmopolitan and Company bag £3 but we got two with the current issues and loads of goodies; you get loads of free stuff just walking about; I also got a Jelly Pong Pong cosmetics goodie bag £5 for two plus Rihanna's perfume Reb'l Fleur £20 for 100ml with a roll on version and clutch bag; and two new Saturday's Magnetism nail polishes and the magnet for £10 (I will do a separate post on this). I think that is it but it was a good day!

Winner Jade

Shows like this one and The Clothes Show are really good and you can just wonder round get some free drinks and food and just enjoy fashion.

I was surprised actually that two Essex's girls were there. My sister bought Lauren Goodger's fake tan (http://www.laurengoodgerofficial.co.uk/) Glam Tan, my sister has a very pale complexion but this tan looked really good and quite natural. I was surprised at the price points on it, obviously it was cheaper but at full price it was really good. Unfortunately we went home before we could see Lauren on person.

However, we did catch a glimpse of ex-TOWIE Amy Childs. She is launching her own clothing range which I do really like, if you have seen her in that red dress with the brown belt high top, tight fitting, well that is one of her own designers!! All the dresses are just gorgeous and priced about £50 to £70. We did try to meet Amy but you had to buy either her fake tan or eyelashes, which she would sign. So instead we had a look around the clothes and just got a peak of her. She is very pretty with massive hair. We did talk to her stylist though who was lovely. Amy's online store isn't open yet but her website is... http://www.amychildsofficial.co.uk/

BNITNM Live was really good and I would suggest going on the Sunday as a lot of the stalls slash their prices as it is the last. day.

So the live show is what it says on the tin 'a great girl's day out', it can tire you out though but well worth the handbag arm (the pain you get when you have your bag on your arm rather than on your shoulder). We came home with about six bags each. 

Web address: http://www.bntmlive.com/

You like my bag? Is it designer? Actually no it's not...

In the post on Friday, 26 August 2011 - Chanel - "Imitation if the highest form of flattery." I spoke of my love for look-a-likes not rip-offs...

And yet again my love for the designer without the bank balance has meant I have found myself a bargain. I have bought a navy satchel in Topman for £15 in the sale it was originally £30, it looks like a Cambridge Satchel Company navy 'Batchel' which can cost between £74-£93 amazing.

On another note Topman is great for accessories and some clothes seem to be cheaper than Topshop I do love it.

In my last post I spoke about my bargain bags but didn't actually publish any pictures so below are my bags and my stylish copycats....

Cambridge Satchel Company 'Batchel' £93

Topman £15

Mulberry 'Alexa' £785

Next £30

Chloe Marcie calfskin 'Hobo' £950

Fiorelli 'Chelsea' £29.99 (TKMaxx so originally I think about £60)

See I know designer is great and may last longer but for those prices you would hope so to. I  love my look-a-likes. And at one time people would cringe at having a cut price look-a-like but not now I'm proud to show off my lovely bags.

**I would like to apologise for my own photos I don't think I have done my bags any justice.

The road to cupcake kingdom is not an easy one

Over the weekend in my baking haze I made another batch of cupcakes.

This time I decided to make strawberry cheesecake. A simple vanilla sponge, with strawberries in the bottom and a cream cheese icing and broken digestive biscuits.

My journey to cupcake heaven was going so well, I had mastered the oven so as to not burn the bottom of my cupcakes while leaving the inside completely raw and had a level of calm when baking.

However, this time I hit a bit of a speed bump. The icing....it was really, really runny! I just think I had put too much cream cheese in or not enough icing sugar. So instead of putting the biscuit on top I mixed it in, it worked in the end not as much icing just a thin layer but still yummy.

Next I am either going to do lemon cupcakes or coconut and pineapple. Not sure which yet.

Thassos, Greece

In September my boyfriend and I took a well deserved break and went on holiday for a week to Thassos in Greece.

We booked through Thomson, just because the ease of transfers and getting it all in one place was just heaven and added to the ease of going on holiday.

Leaving it quite late it did look as if we weren't going to be able to book but a few weeks before our week off, we logged onto the late deals and managed to get a gorgeous art deco hotel, bed and breakfast booked, saving over a thousand pounds. Hotel Egeo.....

When we got to the airport our bags were left there and transported to the hotel, so when we got there our bags were waiting for us. We caught a ferry over and because we were staying in the town walked to our hotel from the port.

Thassos is just beautiful, golden beaches and the people are so friendly. We spent the evenings having dinner in the town and walking around enjoying the buzz of the town.

Our favourite restaurant that I would recommend is Ambrosia, we were recommended it by the taxi boat we took to the neighbouring beaches, his son runs it. We went there twice, on the first time we had leg of pork in honey and sesame seeds, it was delicious the best meal I had. A lot of places in Greece give you either a free shot of Ouzo or brandy Metaxa or fruit, here however, we had figs in local honey..... words cannot describe how nice it was. And imagine my disappointment when on our second trip there we didn't have it.

We visited two other beaches Golden Beach and Makryammos, the taxi boat costs between 5 to 10 euros for a return but for a day at another beach it is worth it.

On one of the days we took a trek up to the old amphitheatre at the top of the town the views of town are great. Well worth the trek.

We had a lot of great food in Thassos but one of the easiest and nicest is a Souvlaki or gyros, it is like a kebab. It has meat in it with tomato, onion, herbs with mustard and mayo. Not very healthy by cheap and filling.

We went in September so it was a lot quieter then high season but I preferred it, not as manic. Also with the beach if you want a bed, just got a drink from the bar and you don't have to pay for the bed just keep topping up the drinks.

The island is very beautiful and the people really friendly, we had a lovely relaxing holiday and would go back again.

More Cupcake Lady-in-Waiting than Queen

To celebrate my lovely mum's birthday she picked what cupcakes she wanted and me and the boyfriend set about making them.

We made marshmellow ones, vanilla cakes with the middle out with melted marshmellow in. That part was my boyfriends job and it was hilarious seeing him with marshmellow all over his fingers, as well as a teaspoon which was stuck to the mellow. He worked out how to do it in the end though, and they were delicious.

I do love making cupcakes and I am kind of good at it, but only made a few batches but they have been pretty good. So my quest is still ongoing. I'm back to work next week but me and my sister have a bake date so I will let you know how we get on.

Here are some photos of my marshmellow cupcakes and hazelnut and chocolate cupcakes....

Cottage Pie the verdict

I cooked my first every cottage pie yesterday. It went well, and did taste delicious. I probably would have added more gravy as when it was cooked in the oven it dried out a little bit. But I was very happy with the outcome and there were clean plates all around.

One recipe down loads more to go.

Here it is courtesy of the Hairy Bikers - Mum knows best book.

1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, peeled, chopped
2 celery sticks, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled, finely chopped
500g/17½oz lean beef mince
150ml/5fl oz red wine
2 tbsp plain flour
500ml/17½fl oz beef stock
300ml/10½fl oz cold water
2 tbsp tomato purée
½ tsp mixed dried herbs
1 dried bay leaf
splash Worcestershire sauce
salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the topping
800g/1lb 12oz floury potatoes, such as King Edward or Maris Piper, peeled and cut into even-sized pieces
40g/1½oz butter, cubed
3 tbsp milk
100g/3½oz mature cheddar, grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper



Preparation method


1.Heat the sunflower oil in a large deep lidded pan over a medium heat and gently fry the onion, celery and carrots for 7-8 minutes, or until the onions are softened and lightly coloured. Add the garlic and cook for 2-3 more minutes.

2.Add the beef mince to the pan and cook with the vegetables for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned all over.

3.Pour the wine into the pan, bring the mixture to the boil and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated, then sprinkle over the flour and stir well for a few minutes to prevent any lumps from forming.


4.Gradually add the beef stock to the pan, then add the cold water, tomato purée and dried herbs. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover with the lid and cook over a low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mince is tender and the sauce has thickened. Season with a splash of Worcestershire sauce and salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from the heat, spoon into a 1.5 litre/2 pints 13fl oz ovenproof dish and set aside.


5.Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.


6.Half-fill a large pan with cold water. Add the potatoes and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are very soft.


7.Drain the potatoes, then return to the pan set over a medium heat. Cook for a few seconds to drive off any excess moisture, then remove the potatoes from the heat. Add the butter, milk and cheese and mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.


8.Spoon the mash over the mince mixture in the ovenproof dish, working towards the middle from the outside. Smooth with a palette knife. When all the mince is covered with mash, create patterns on the surface using a fork.


9.Place the dish on a baking tray and bake in the centre of the oven for around 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden-brown and the filling is bubbling up around the edges. Serve with freshly cooked green beans or shredded Savoy cabbage.

My journey to become a domestic goddess

I am off work this week so never fear the blog will get the love and attention it deserves.

So, I am off and I have taken this time to put my saga to become a domestic goddess to the test. Today I am planning to make cottage pie.

Now to any normal cook that sounds like an easy task, for me however, not so. I once managed to set fire to a whole roll of kitchen roll just cooking spag bol, still to this day not sure how it happened. I was cooking mince turned my back to wash my hands, turned back the whole thing was in flames.

Anyway, we won't relive that.

To start me on the right cottage pie track I bought a Hairy Bikers Mum knows Best cook book. Loads of classic recipes. I did think that cottage pie would be fairly easy and I would be able to do it. I will be prepping in a bit so wish me luck and I'm sure that you will hear all about it later on this week.

Also it is my mum's birthday this week and to celebrate she has picked some cupcakes, which I am going to make... my third batch, so keep fingers crossed and I will let you know how I get on. Who knows I may be on my way to being a domestic goddess... ?