Merry Christmas.

(*From Pinterest) 

Merry Christmas to you all! 

I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and I hope you have a magical day spending it with your family &/or friends. I have successfully completed Blogmas, and even though there was not a post on Christmas Eve, this post was technically going to be published yesterday however it is a lot nicer to wish you all a very Merry Christmas on the 25th of December. 

Blog posts will resume next Monday and I will dedicating a post sometime next week talking all about 2014 & 2015 - updating you all on how Blogmas went, future goals and all of that jazz. This way this post is short, sweet and simple! 

Enjoy every moment of your day and I will speak to you on Monday! 

M x 

Favourite Christmas Reads.

Christmas is an exceptionally magical time of the year and there are many festive outings, activities and recipes to do. I love reading blogs in my spare time or whilst having a little relaxation time, so today I am sharing four of my favourite blogs that I have been reading throughout the month of December, but to be honest I love all of their content all year round. 

(*All images published are from the original creators website/ blog!) 

First up - WHAT OLIVIA DID

Olivia's blog is well executed and the content published is highly professional. All of her photographs are intriguing and nicely presented. I love her mix of style and lifestyle posts with the odd recipe that makes all of her posts appealing. 

Second - WISH WISH WISH 

 Carrie's blog is similar to Olivia's in the way of which the style and theme of the content covers the aspects of fashion, lifestyle, but this time the occasionally post or two of travel adventures. All of Carrie's photographs are executed beautifully and always capture such a lovely shot of either herself or objects around that compliment each other with the backgrounds and centred piece - she certainly know how to take an appealing photo. 

Third - A BEAUTIFUL MESS 

 A Beautiful Mess was created by sister duo Elsie & Emma. This blog is filled with everything creative from DIY's, recipes to a general women's lifestyle blog. The team at A Beautiful Mess continuously create content for their community of readers that is easy to read, follow and overall appealing. I love their work and again everything that is put into this blog. 

Fourth - THE SUGAR HIT

Sarah is the creator behind The Sugar Hit, which covers everything filled with sugar (well mostly any, the odd savoury here and there) and wow is her blog incredible. To be honest I think I am running out of describing words ahaha - but her simplistic designs are so eye catching and designed so well, that it is extremely tempting to want to make everything there and then. Sarah's Christmas posts have been exceptional and delicious - defiantly one of my favourite blogs. 

All of these blogs are lovely to read and all of the creators inspire me to continue working towards something that I love and can someday hopefully produce similar content to them. Whilst some photographs remain simple, all of the elements mixed together create a well planned and designed image that is appealing for the reader - I take my hat off to all of these girls for remaining positive with their blogs as they grow and I admire all of their work ethic, which someday I hope to have. 

I hope you enjoyed this style of post! 

M x 

Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.

3 day until Christmas! 

Today I am sharing with you a super easy and quick festive cookie that can be made in batches for last minute gifts or holiday treats. Use your left over candy canes from your tree and whip up this rich delicious cookie mixture. 

It is bursting with triple chocolate; cocoa powder, melted dark chocolate and chopped dark chocolate chunks - plus the addition of roughly chopped peppermint sticks makes these cookies scream with flavour. They are so indulgent with the oozing chocolate once taken from the oven and they will make you be tempted to take a second one. 

Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookies 

110g butter, chopped and softened 

175g brown sugar 

1 egg 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

150g plain flour, sifted

25g cocoa powder, sifted

1/2-teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

120g dark chocolate, melted

Plus 280g dark chocolate, chopped (400g dark chocolate in total) 

120g peppermint candy canes, chopped 

1. Preheat the oven to 160-degrees and line cookie trays with parchment paper. 

2. Place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. 

3. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well combined. 

4. Add the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and melted chocolate, and bet until just combined. 

5. Fold through the extra dark chocolate that has been chopped as well as the candy canes. (or place these on top of the cookies once rolled) 

6. Roll tablespoons of the mixture and place onto the prepared cookie tins. 

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes and allow to cool on the trays first as they will be extremely soft and delicate - if you try to move them to soon they will collapse and crumble into one. 

I hope you enjoyed this last minute cookie recipe - it only takes around 15 minutes to prepare and then baking them in stages will take a little while, however it is not a complicated recipe, so enjoy with you family and friends. 

Enjoy! 

M x 

Vegan Chocolate Milk.

As you may have already seen from my previous post, I love a good old hot chocolate. I am also a massive lover of health foods, so I thought I would create a vegan chocolate milk - free from dairy and gluten. 

The hint of nut flavour from the milk and sweetness from the chocolate is a divine combination that makes your stomach feel warm and cosy on the inside. 

Simply warm almond milk in a pan and add dairy free chocolate and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour into your favourite jar or mug and voila - a delicious hot chocolate that is perfect for a winters night, but completely guilt free. 

I hope you enjoyed yet another hot chocolate post and try this recipe for yourself. 

M x 

Flourless Mint Chocolate Cake.

This alternate Christmas cake is free from dried fruit, brand, candied peel and oh heck no nuts or flour as well. This cake is rich, dark and scrumptious - the perfect Christmas cake for anyone. This cake feels like a special occasion in one bowl as it requires more than 4 bars of dark chocolate and 8 eggs. The mint flavour and chocolate is the extent of festiveness as you will get, but with a large dollop of freshly whipped cream is the perfect combination to end a delightful and thankful day. 

Flourless Mint Chocolate Cake 

Ingredients

16.oz 70% cocoa dark chocolate
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup soft light brown sugar
1/2 caster sugar
3/4 cup hot strong coffee
2 tbsp cocoa powder
8 large free range eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1tsp peppermint extract

1. Line a 10″ round springform cake pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius.

2. Break the chocolate up into a large bowl, and set it over a pan of boiling water to melt. Meanwhile, cream together the butter and sugar in a mixer until soft and light, and then mix in the cocoa powder.

3. Slowly pour the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture, beating as you go. With the beaters still running, carefully pour in the hot coffee. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary.

4. Beat the 8 eggs together with the vanilla extract and slowly pour into the chocolate mixture with the beaters running. Lastly, add in the peppermint extract and mix to combine.

5. Pour the mixture into the lined cake pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, until the top is cracked and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake come out clean. Leave the cake to cool completely before cutting- it will sink and deflate as it cools.

6. Dust with icing sugar, and serve with freshly whipped cream, plus a few berries to go alongside.

Once settled, the cake is extremely similar to a rich indulgent brownie that is absolutely delicious and will screaming out for seconds. 

Enjoy! 

M x 

A Classic Hot Chocolate.

Hello! 

Today I share with you a classic hot chocolate recipe. Simply warm milk in a saucepan on the stove, add your favourite chocolate and mix to combine. Pour into a mug or old-fashioned milk bottle and serve with marshmallow, whipped cream or both. 

The perfect holiday treat that is super easy, quick and delicious to make on a cold winters evening. 

Enjoy! 

M x 

Blogmas 2014 update.

Good evening to you all (well in the southern hemisphere anyway), todays post is going to be a sit down relaxed chit chat post. 

 I feel like I am going fairly strong with the consistency of posting everyday for the blog series Blogmas. Yes, somedays have not been as detailed, but every now and then problems can get the best of us - however seeing as it is only a week until Christmas, I have got a bag full of goodies coming your way within the next week. 

(Original image found here) 

I enjoy the festive season each year and have already gained so much inspiration and confidence to take into the next year. I will not go into to much detail talking about 2014, as I am going to dedicate a whole post to talking about the past and the future. 

I have finished school and am a free bean - to travel, study, work and experiment with my blog, photography and videography. 

This was just a quick random post due to not feeling 100% this morning, but I plan to spend the evening and tomorrow morning preparing a range of posts that can be shared over the next week as Christmas draws to a quick close. 

I of course had to write a post and this way you know my whereabouts. 

Speak soon! 

M x 

White Chocolate & Cherry Cookies.

Good morning all! 

Todays recipe is a classic combination of cherries and white chocolate combined together to form a soft and chewy cookie. 

The preparation of the batter is quick and easy - minimal steps and mess, which both come together to make a nice holiday treat. 

Approximately 15 minutes to make, 10 minutes to bake and less than a minute to eat! 

Cherry & White Chocolate Cookies. 
Ingredients (makes 20-21 cookies):
250g plain flour
2 teaspoons cornflour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp salt
170g unsalted butter, room temperature
150g brown sugar
50g caster sugar
1 egg, room temperature
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
100g white chocolate
50-60g glace cherries (chopped)

1.  In a large bowl beat the butter for one minute until smooth and creamy. Add the sugars and mix until light and fluffy.
2. Mix in the egg and vanilla. 
3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cornflour, bicarbonate of soda and salt - slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. 

4. Add the chocolate and the cherries, mixing for about 5 seconds, until evenly distributed. Cover with foil or cling film and chill for an hour (or two for thicker cookies).

5. Remove the dough from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temp for around 10 minutes. 

6. Preheat your oven at 350F / 180C. Line two baking trays with parchment.  Roll the dough into tablespoon sized balls, spacing them evenly apart. I used an ice-cream scoop for continuity. 

7. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just golden brown. 

8. Once baked, allow to cool for 5 minutes as they'll be very soft. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to completely cool.

Voila - cookies filled with sugary goodness! 

So there you have it, a fool proof festive cookie recipe to add to your 'go to' collection. As this cookie recipe itself is reasonably basic, if this combination does not take your fancy - mix it up with chocolate orange, salted caramel or berry. The list is endless so pop on your creative thinking hat and start baking. 

Enjoy!

M x