Bye bye camel... hello black

Alexander McQueen

Yep, that's right... the collections for A/W 11 are overflowing with black. But you know what I didn't see? Camel, last winter's biggest trend. Not an ounce. Even Chloe, the house which seemed to kick the trend off, had replaced its camel fetish and headed in a striking new direction, with leather and snake print.

Chanel

Lanvin

Above images courtesy of http://showstudio.com/collections/designers

 With black being such a wardrobe staple, it would be easy for us to dig out the boots and dresses that got replaced with tobacco and camel last year. But we should never underestimate its versatility and potential for reinvention.  This year, reflect the catwalk trends with luxe textures to bring it alive: sequins, leather, velvet, satin and faux fur.

Team it with the brights of summer to make them last, or buy one of these pieces to see you through the season.

Miss Selfridge, £45

Minkpink @ Urban Outfitters, £95

Reiss, £169

What do you think of the return of black? About time? Or are you too settled in your camel ways to shift already? Let us know.

Charlotte

Cupcake Chaos

As you've probably gathered by now I quite enjoy baking (a lot), and my mums birthday presented a perfect opportunity. I decided to rent one of those giant cupcake tins. Now I have to admit it didn't go swimmingly. I ran out of butter twice, and had to chuck loads of lemoney icing away as it went too runny. However, the lemon curd I made for the centre of the cake worked perfectly, and it does look pretty yummy. 


Kisses,


Jade

Crunchie Bread Pudding

Last year, my grandad suffered pancreatitis, which meant he would have to cut down on high-fat foods for good. Now, going to my grandad and nanas' house has always meant a real feast - usually involving beautifully rich, indulgent desserts and plenty of chocolates for afterwards - and likewise when they visited us. So we suddenly found ourselves seeking out low-fat dessert recipes - an interesting but exciting challenge! - and here is one of my favourites. I made this for all of us to eat after we enjoyed a barbecue last week.

The recipe is taken from a freebie in a back issue of the Rosemary Conley magazine Diet & Fitness, which I imagine is pretty hard to find now! But it is very simple: a mixture of milk and beaten egg, and chunks of chopped Crunchie bar, poured over (and absorbed by) layers of bread. Bake until golden. Simple!

Let me know how you find it.

Charlotte

Fall for Forever

Blouse, £13.75

 The first time I visited a Forever 21 store in Las Vegas last year, I noticed a definite European feel in comparison to the other fashion chains I had explored in the US... which is perhaps why it has landed over here. I would compare it to Republic or maybe New Look.

With Oxford Street recently opening its own Forever 21, I thought I would browse the site and pick out my favourite A/W 11 pieces. Unfortunately, the collection still seems to be reminiscing over summer, with printed maxi dresses and nautical stripes a-plenty. I look forward to what it will offer in the colder months, and to visiting on my next London spree.

What are your thoughts?

Charlotte

Shoes, £19.75

Cardigan, £24.75

Lemon Bars

I have to confess to something. Until I baked these I didn't really know what a lemon bar actually was. Yes, they were obviously made with lemons (!), but I was expecting something more like mini lemon drizzle cakes. As I was following the recipe I was getting increasingly confused as to what I was doing, but I persisted with it, and they actually turned out pretty well. I now know lemon bars are similar to lemon meringue pie, with a soft biscuity base and a creamy, mushy, very tasty lemon topping. They were good, but I think in future when I bake something I'm unsure of I will research a bit more into the recipe before I attempt it. As for lemon bars, I will definitely be attempting them again soon.

Kisses,

Jade

Double Chocolate Brownies

I made my best-ever batch of brownies around a year ago. They were risen at the edges, and damp and squishy in the middle, to the point of being fragile to handle. The recipe was taken from 'Blissful Brownies' published by Marks & Spencer, and it was entitled 'Sticky Brownies', which really did not do them justice.

These brownies were not those.

These, taken from the same book, were a batch of 'Double Chocolate Brownies', made with a few compromises dependent on what was lying around in my store cupboard, and without the chocolate sauce included in the recipe. I also used chopped chocolate chunks (or, as Nigella Lawson aptly describes them, chocolate 'morsels') as I find they give a more interesting texture than simple chocolate chips. They were pleasant, but not a patch on the others! I really think golden syrup is needed to make the ultimate brownie.

Anyway, making brownies is always an indulgent experience for all the senses, so I thought I would photograph the stages and get your mouths watering.

Enjoy,

Charlotte

Mixing the wet and dry ingredients...

... folding in the chocolate 'morsels'...

... and ready to bake!

Pre-Season A/W '11 Edit 2

I love winter. Big coats + chunky scarfs are my favourite combination. Its not that I want summer to end, but all the pre-season talk/photographs in magazines has got me lusting after winter clothing already. Here's my top five pieces from the pre-season A/W '11 collections (mainly the ones i can afford!).



Miss Selfridge

Fur has always been a big thing in fashion, and it looks like its back again this year (see Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Gucci for but a few examples) . Of course I'd only ever wear faux fur, and this Miss-Selfridge coat is the perfect example. So glamorous, yet warm and practical for a cold winters day. I love the vintage look of fur coats; they look high fashion whether teamed with a gorgeous dress or a simple knitted jumper. Throw this coat on and your ready, and always looking great!

  

Next

I have wanted a chunky, tribal patterned scarf for a long time and it looks like this season I'm going to get my wish. This scarf from Next is just right. The pattern is subtle yet still striking and the monotone colours will go with anything.

 

Miss Selfridge

This jumper links in with my previous piece, another nod to the patterned tribal trend. I love chunky knitted jumpers (well, to be honest, i love anything which is chunky and knitted) and the bright colours and pattern makes this the first chunky jumper - of many - that I'm going to buy this winter.



Next

 This outfit as a whole stood out to me, the orange knitted jumper (another one, I know!) is very versatile, it could more worn on a chilly summers evening, or a cold autumn day. The midi skirt is still very much in style this A/W and this tweed number gives a gorgeous heritage look.




Maxmara Pianoforte

Dresses are my go-to item for any season, and while flicking through a recent issue of Grazia magazine i caught sight of this wonder. Isn't it just beautiful?


Kisses,

Jade