My Christmas Cooking Feats

There is nothing I love more than cooking for friends and family and enjoying lovely food and some good drink around the table with them, and that is what Christmas is all about right?

I thought I would share some of my Christmas Cooking Feats. 

Two days before the big day I cooked my first ever Roast Christmas dinner, with a lovely piece of gammon. 

Soaked for 24 hours to reduce the salt content, I then boiled for a few hours (20-30 minutes per KG) with a carrot, onion and a bay leaf for seasoning.

Once boiled, take out and rest, remove the layer of skin, making sure you keep the fat on. Scour the fat with a sharp knife into diamond shapes, cover in honey and stick in some cloves and pepper corns.

Roast for 20-30 minutes, leave to rest then carve.  

Noting beats having your best friends round the table enjoying Christmas Dinner together <3

Desserts 

Melt some milk and white chocolate separately , pour in to a tin to create a marble affect. Sprinkle with some festive fruit and nuts and leave in the fridge to set. 

I also made my very own Gingerbread house, although I'd recommend only start doing this if you have lots of time. 

Drinks

For something different to Mulled Wine try this, Southern Comfort & Warm cider with Apple, Cinnamon Sticks and Juniper Berries. 

Heat the Cider and Southern Comfort in the microwave with a chopped apple and juniper berries and serve in a tumbler with cinnamon sticks. 

Prosecco served with Hibiscus Flowers, which gives it a lovely pink colouring and just makes it look pretty. 

Christmas Morning

Because it wouldn't be Christmas Morning without Scrambled Eggs, Smoked Salmon and Champagne...

Leftovers

After Boxing Day leftovers become boring just as they are, so I made a Caribbean Curry with the leftover Turkey served with Rice 'n' Peas... Make as Spicy or as mild as you want. Makes the perfect supper to sweat out a Winter Flu. 

With lots of time off now, I look forward to sharing more cooking feats. 

Now to tuck into that box of Malteser's that no one else has opened yet. 

x

The no 'Back Fat' Bra

When it comes to lingerie, I am a little obsessed with finding the correct fitting bra. 

Down a back size, up a cup size, push up, sports, sexy, girlie, strapless... There is bra for every situation, and Sainsbury's has now added another, the Back Smoothing Bra aka a bra that hides the dreaded back fat. 

Being very petite I have rarely suffered from this, but have heard lots of women moan about it, and research from Sainsbury's has identified that 'back fat' is one of the most common problem areas for women. 

The exclusive Back Smoothing Bra has been constructed with Powermesh fabric - the same body-shaping fabric used in control lingerie. 

The back panel compresses any bulges to create a smooth, streamlined back and emphasises the waistline. 

Available in black, the bra has been designed to banish the image of shape-wear as ugly industrial garments as seen in Bridget Jone's Diary. With a pretty silver clip front fastening and a feminine flattering T-Shirt bra cup, the bra is discreet as it is figure transforming. 

Available in 50 Sainsbury's stores nationwide from today and priced at £10 in a range of sizes up to 40DD. 

The 'back fat' issue

The Sainsbury's Back Smoothing Bra

   

The Festive Survival Guide from Farrell.

I don't normally post about menswear but I love the Christmas Survival Guide from Farrell the clothing line devised by Robbie Williams and named after his Grandfather, the legendary Jack Farrell.

Farrell have produced a survival guide for five (sometimes awkward) situations the Farrell man may find himself in over the festive period, each with it's own entertaining narrative. 

The office Christmas Party

It may be the naffest event of the year but it is not an excuse to let standards drop. Farrell keeps men looking sharp with tailored jackets, traditional shirting and just a hint of stylish rebellion. 

Out in the 'breakout space', Farrell sips the Lambrini that Faye's bought in. He know's too much about wine and the provenance of the grape to drink this stuff, but it doesn't half bring out the taste in his Tangy Toms. 

The rest of the team are preparing to leave for the party. The boss has booked the Greek restaurant near the station, plenty of plates to smash and ouzo to drink. He checks his box of northern soul 7''s - why is he DJing for this lot? Cos if don't someone else will. 

He buttons up his cropped frock coat, wraps the fringed scarf round his neck and sticks on his felt trilby, a note to the effortless style of granddad, who even did the gardening in a shirt and tie. Faye catches his eye and smiles, topping up the Lambrini. 

"I know it's not Jacob's Creek," she says, giggling. "But it'll do."

He nods. 

"And so will you," he says. "Cheers!"  

Farrell Felt Trilby £90

Farrell White Collar & Bib Shirt £85

Farrell Cropped Frock Coat £300

Farrell Fringed Scarf £35

All available at www.farrell.com / House of Fraser / Selfridges 

Forget Christmas Jumpers... It's all about Festive Leggings.

Looking for something festive to wear to to walk off all those Mince Pies? Then look no further than the limited edition Nike Pro Oslo Glow Printed Women's leggings. 

Inspired by hand-emborided elements of traditional Scandinavian knit trims, mashing them up digitally for a fun, beautiful and unique result, combined with the highest quality performance features the leggings  offer a fresh twist on a favourite style.

The tights have reduced seams for extra comfort, Dri-Fit fabric wicks sweat to help keep you dry and comfortable by moving sweat away from the the skin to the fabric's surface where it quickly evaporates, whilst the wide elastic is both slimming and comfortable - just what you need after all the excess consumption that takes place over Christmas.

Available now at Nike Town London and www.nike.com 

These Fashion forward leggings have definitely been added to my Christmas list. 

Shoes Glorious Shoes...

Exposure held their SS13 Press Day this week, showcasing the new SS13 collections from Designers and brands such as Mr.Start, Agi & Sam, Farrell, Levi's, Hunter, Christopher Raeburn, Folk and many more. 

However, my favourite has to be the shoes. So here is a preview of all the footwear I will be lusting after this Summer. 

Dr.Martens SS13

Nike Air Max SS13

Nike Sky High (Wedged) Dunk SS13

Terry De Havilland SS13

Terry De Havilland SS13

Terry De Havilland SS13

Free People Launches in the UK

Eagerly awaited US seventies label Free People crossed the pond today with the launch of their brand new UK e-commerce website. 

Loved by the likes of Kate Bosworth, Heidi Klum and Taylor Swift Free People offers an eclectic mix of spirited and confident styles to suit every lifestyle. 

The brands main target is a 26-year-old-girl, who is smart, creative, confident and comfortable in all aspects of her being. 

"Free People girls in the US and UK share as commonality of being curious and creative" Free People Art Director Lauren Cohen said of the move in to the UK retail market, "We love how girls in the UK style pieces from high fashion to high street and wear them together. Free People is not about what you're wearing, but how you wear it. Whether you style them in a tough tomboy, romantic and pretty or bohemian way it's all about taking the pieces and making them your own".

Part of the Urban Outfitter's group, Free People is a very popular brand in America, with over 77 stores and stocked in all major department stores. 

They also use high profile models in their campaigns such as Lily Donaldson and Karlie Kloss. 

Offering Free Delivery for the first month and free UK returns the website is now live. 

www.freepeople.co.uk 

This Summer I couldn't of lived without... Lash Perfect Lashes.

I have been meaning to write to this post for a while now, the last month has been crazy with Weddings, Baby Showers, Hen-Do's, Holidays and new Job positions. 

However, I couldn't have survived without my Lash Perfect individual eyelash extensions. 

Applied individually to your natural lashes, you can decide on length and volume.

I go for fullness over length as I'm not a fan of that whole spider lash fake 'Essex' look that I see so many girls sporting. They generally last for two weeks, and look FABULOUS. 

I have not worn mascara since June, as I have been having express treatments for my infills.

Looked after properly a full set should last you 2-3 weeks. 

My lash technician Natalie is forever telling me 'Jemma, you MUST brush your lashes'. 

If I feel the need for a little mascara then I use the Lash Perfect Clear Mascara Finishing Glaze, just for an extra bit of ooomph. 

Most salons use Lash Perfect, but if you get the chance, I highly recommend you try Lash Bar in Carnaby Street, London. Visited by the likes of Peaches Geldoff, Louise Roe and Billie Piper, it's a favourite with celebrities, and they specialise in all Eye, Eye Brow and Eye Lash treatments. 

After being my top Summer Essential, I am going to give them a little break, for my natural lashes to recover but have already decided I am going to get them done again for the Festive Party Season to flutter under the Mistletoe. 

BEAUTY MUST HAVE. 

Nike Flyknit Festival

Last night I attended the opening party of the Nike Flyknit Festival at Aske Gardens in Hackney, to celebrate the Nike Flyknit Collective, a collection of lightweight performance footwear that also brings creativeness and art to the forefront of it's design. 

To open last night there was a show from London-based collective UVA (United Visual Artists), as well as a live DJ, cocktails and food, and what with the great weather we have this weekend it made the perfect Friday night, out in the open. 

There until the 25th August, there are a range of different activities taking place suitable for all ages. 

Aske Gardens

Pitfield Street

N1 6LE. 

Shootin' Hoops - The re-invogoration of Aske Gardens has made it into a vibrant and welcoming public space for sport and the community. 

Performance from UVA.

Yummy Mini Burgers

The lounge area in the Tennis Courts with the live DJ playing Old Skool Garage and Rick Ross was my favourite.

What I wore; Dress H&M, Denim Jacket Primark, Trainers Nike Air Max 90's

The Nike Flyknit Running Shoe. 

The Nike Clubhouse

As an attendee of the Nike Training Club as mentioned in a previous post, I was very excited to hear the news that Nike has opened the Nike + FuelStation at Clapham Common.

A digitally enabled sporting clubhouse designed to inspire London's athlete community to #MakeItCount.

Located on the South side of Clapham Common, the FuelStation brings premium experiences and services directly to Athletes of London, and motivating them to be more active throughout the day. 

Designed in-house by the Nike Brand Design team, the space is 384 square metres, and combines futuristic design and architecture with sustainable features as well as the digitally enabled interior. 

The space and services covers a range of experiences;

• One-to-one consultation with real athletes who are hand selected from the local communities. 
• A Nike + innovation zone; a digitally enabled space which  brings to like Nike+ experiences and allows runners to join Nikeplus.com and be part of the worlds largest running community.
• A Nike+ Trail Zone where you can try out the latest Nike+ Digital Sports products for FREE including Nike+ Running, Football, and Training footwear, Fuel bands and the Nike Training Club app. 
• NIKEiD terminals where you can design your own footwear and apparel (this is my favourite - the amount of hours I have spent designing my own trainers online)
• Dedicated and FREE daily Nike Training Club classes led by top Nike Master Trainers (speaking from experience - be prepared - they do not go easy on you)

What I love about this, is that it brings the community together, and it is so much more enjoyable working out with others who have the same aim, as you can all encourage and inspire each other. 

There are a range of classes available at different times, that you can simply attend by signing up on the Facebook pages. 

Nike + Run Clubs

Every Monday, Wednesday at 7pm and Saturday mornings at 10am.

Nike Training Club

Monday - 19:00 - 20:00

Tuesday - 19:00 - 20:00

Wednesday - 07:00 - 08:00 

Friday - 07:00 - 08:00 

Saturday - 10:30 - 11:30 

Nike Elite Football Live

Every Saturday at selected intervals at 9:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm. 

Sign up as an individual or as a team by e-mailing fuel.station@nike.com 

Open 7 days a week from 7:30 - 21:00 

Nightingale Walk

SW4 9AE.