The Year Of Blogging: 2015 Resolutions

Hello Lovelies!

I cannot believe a whole year has passed since my 2014 New Years Resolutions! It was the first time I had ever set resolutions and I will be honest, I forgot about them pretty quickly - a trap that most people fall into. 

So before I go ahead with all the "promises" that I'm going to make, I want to reflect on my last Year Of Blogging, and what my favourite moments were.

2014

Motivational Mondays

Inspired by Louise, Motivational Mondays were a series of posts through the year, aimed to brighten up miserable Mondays, and motivate the blogging scene. It faded in and out but in 2015 I want to aim for 1 a month (as well as all my usual content).

Honeycomb Recipe

Although not my most fancy post, this was special for me because it captured a memory. I made his honeycomb (and then White Chocolate and Honeycomb Cookies) with my little cousin Bee. I'm looking forward to the things planned for the New Year to do with her.

November Favorites

November was a really good month for me and and I was really proud of this post. I am not a poser and definitely do not enjoy being photographed (something i'll mention more later on). I wanted to give a go at a favourites post that are so popular within blogging. I was really proud of myself for putting aside my anxieties and self-consciousness and stepping out of my comfort zone. I was happy with how this post turned out.

Chicago
Although this is not something I have talked about on here really yet, I went to Chicago in July. I met over 500 amazing people that I still keep in touch with and completely changed my life. I came back from Hoby a changed person and a completely different outlook on life. I am closer to C1 than I am to some people Ive known for years. With friends in every corner of the globe, in 2015 I can visit some of them. Love and yeet to them all.

2015

Be More Organised!

Over the past couple of months I've really had a mental kick and really started to focusing on planning. I was living very much day-to-day and it really wasn't helping anxiety or my life in general. I want to carry my organised-ness into 2015 because there are so many exciting things on the horizon and I want to be ready for them!

Healthier Brain, Healthier Body

I had a resolution last year to be more healthy (don't we all?) and I feel I did achieve i in some ways. I mean I went through 2 gyms but linking with my goal above, I want it to become a more routine thing. I have no goal to loose weight or only eat rabbit food, I just want to have a healthier brain and body. So that means weekly workouts and more regulated sections of each food group, and I'm excited for it!

Love Myself!

Everyone is guilty of putting themselves down one way or another, some more than others. I think the real way to live a fulfilled life is to be truly accepting and happy with yourself. I don't think anyone can truly love another or be loved if they don't even love themselves - deep I know! I want to be body confident and to be able to accept a compliment. I want to be able to smile in pictures. But most of all I want to be happy with what I'm writing on here. Deadly Is The Female has been my escape for so long and as its grown more successful, I become apprehensive of what to write about or what I thought people would want to read. But in truth, if I am happy with the content that's on here, whats the problem? I'm proud of all of my content and how this blog has grown. 

To finish off, I want to thank all of you who read this. From something that started off so small, It has grown to be something I am so incredibly proud of. None of that would be possible if it wasn't for you lovelies who read this!

I also want to thank my dearest chummies, Danielle, Leah and Jade, who consistently have supported me on this roller-coaster when I doubted myself. You are the greatest friends I could as for.

Enough of the soppyness - this has been a long one! I hope 2014 has been as good for you as it has been for me and 2015 is even better!

All My Love

♥

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Easy Mince Pies Recipe

Hello Lovelies!

Its Christmas and I thought I would share with you some of my favourite homemade festive recipes.

Mince Pies are a must-have at this time of year. No snuggled night in is complete without a Mince Pie with a dash of brandy butter and some mulled wine. This is a simple and incredibly easy recipe for mouthwatering Mince Pies.

Ingredients

375g plain flour

260g unsalted butter, softened

125g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

2 eggs

600g Mincemeat

Icing Sugar

 1. 

Place the flour and butter in a bowl and rub together to a crumb consistency. Add the sugar and the egg, and mix together.

 2.

 Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and fold until the pastry comes together, be careful not to over mix though! Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for 10 mins.

3.

Scoop the mincemeat into a bowl. You could buy some mincemeat if you want to make this more simple. If you'd like to find out how I made mine, I'll be putting up my recipie here. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick. 

4.

Using a round cutter (about 10cm), cut out 16 bases and press them gently into muffin trays. Put spoon a small amount (about 1 tsp depending on the size of your tray) of the mincemeat mixture into each. 

5.

Re-roll out the pastry to cut 7cm lids and press them on top to seal. For some I chose stars, but the majority I opted for full tops and made some little holly leaves for decoration. Glaze with the rest of the egg, sprinkle with caster sugar, then make a small cut in the tops.

Bake mince pies for 15-20 mins until golden brown. 

6.

Leave to cool before releasing them from the muffin trays and dusting with icing sugar. 

So thee=re you have it! A simple and easy recipe to bring you the most mouthwatering mince pies you will ever taste!

Send me your photos of your mince pies, even if you didn't use this recipe.

Have the most wonderful Christmas and don't count the calories!

All My Love

♥
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My Christmas Wishlist

Hello Lovelies!

With Christmas only around the corner, Ive done all my present shopping out the way and I am so excited to give friends an family their gifts. I cant wait to wake up on Christmas day to a pile of presents from loved ones - but there are always ones that you only wish you could afford for yourself, or that your boyfriend would think of you to buy, or even maybe in your stocking? These are the things I wish I could have this Christmas...

The Small Alchester In Leather - Burberry

£895.00

Not often do I get withdrawal symptoms from a bag, but damn do I want this. Burberry is a brand I've obsessed over for many years and they have never disappointed me. I have few other of their products - my Heritage Check Cashmere Scarf being my favourite.

This is a structured bowling bag in rich leather with raised bombé seam detail. The bag features hand-stitched rolled leather handles, a zip top closure with oversize leather pulls and detachable shoulder strap.

Inspired by heritage travel designs, the bag is finished with hand-painted edges, a polished metal luggage lock and leather key holder. I adore the heritage check lining too!

Simple and elegant, I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it. I feel this bag reflects me perfectly and is destined to be on my arm.

Pomegranate Noir Home Candle - Jo Malone

£20 per 100g

Jo Malone products are a firm staple on my shopping lists, never mind wish lists. But I usually save up a while before splashing out. I feel too selfish because there are so many people less fortunate in the world - deep I know. However.... the Pomegranete Noir scent is one I have not tried before. 

"The sensuality of a daring red dress. Ruby-rich juices of pomegranate, raspberry and plum are spiked with pink pepper and laced with Casablanca lily and spicy woods. Dark and enigmatic. To uplift, to wind down, or simply to add an air of luxury. Transform the atmosphere with luxury and opulence."

Vintage Cookbook Stand

£28

Being someone who cooks and bakes on a daily basis, a cookbook stand would solve my countless problems when trying to follow a recipe. Also, writing a lot of recipes of my own, its handy to rest a notebook and pen. The vintage cream iron-work goes beautifully with my kitchen too!

Urban Decay - Naked On The Run Palette 

£37.00 - Debenhams

A huge fan of the Naked range, this serves a modern worman's every need! This LIMITED EDITION all-in-one Naked pallette comes loaded with 6 new eyeshadow shades, a base, bronzer, blusher, a full-size Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss and a travel-size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, plus a travel-size Perversion Mascara. This palette is the ONE thing you need to easily create a complete Naked look on the run. (And let's not forget that every single shade inside is new!)

Editing Ceramic Mug

£10.52

With my mug collection ever growing, I feel thhat with would be another perfect edition. When working, I prefer to write all of my posts in one go, which can sometimes be from dawn till way after dusk. I think this little mug will spur me on in what sometimes can become very tedious. 

Pastel Blue and Cream Collared Dress

£69.99

I lady's wardrobe can never be too big and I think this would be a wonderful dress for spring. I adore the embroidered detailing on the pastel blue skirt and the black trim on the edge of the collar. A must-have for me!

Thanks to Hannah and Stef who gave me the inspiration for this post! If you'd like to see what other things I am enjoying, check out Stef's website Wantfeed subscribe to my Wantfeed on the sidebar. Let me know whats on your Christmas Wishlist!

All My Love

♥

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November Favourites

Hello Lovelies!

December already? Really? But do you know what that means... Christmas! Not that I started a month a ago... but lets not talk about that. I thought it might be nice to talk about what I've loved over this past month!


Black Tartan Check Reversible Scarf
£14.99
I saw this when online shopping. Now I'm not a lover of New Look - I already hear the groans - but I find a lot of their range quite tacky and cheap looking. But while browsing, I found this little gem. I must say I have not left the house without this. Made from 100% acrylic, this is soft and ever so comfy to wear. With a black tartan check on one side, and a houndstooth print on the other, its rather unique. However, rather a large amount of pilling has happened - something which bugs me so much.

Black Tattoo Choker

£5.00

These recently became a big thing, so whilst in Topshop, I picked it up and thought I'd see how it looked. In the colder months, high necked tops are a must so these are a great match. I must say, I am not one for chokers and I find them incredibly claustrophobic and restricting, but this however lasted much longer on my neck than usual. 

Tan & Mocha Satchel

£30

I picked this little lovely up from Topshop in October and it has not been off my arm since. Such a handy size - big enough to fit A4 folder in for students. Big enough for the necessities this is great for taking to a lecture. To be honest, I wouldn't advise this for shopping trips as the downside is that anything cumbersome is not going to go in here and still be able to fasten. Keep it for flat things.

I adore the tan and mocha combo and really do think it creates a warm look to what would otherwise be just a brown bag. I hate brown. 

The cute gold buckle fastenings are adorable too.

Black and Oak Patent Brogues

£60

Again, I picked these up in October and have used them throughout November. I think these particular ones have been discontinued or out of stock but still do them in various other colours. With patent leather and oak heels, they just look so classy. These must have been trudged through mud an uncountable amount of times, yet have still come out the other side looking untouched, I simply adore these and really take me back to the 50's. For such a great price, I cant complain. I love them!

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

Hardback - £19.99

Since starting this, I was unable to put it down. The Night Circus is a phantasmagorical fairy tale set near an historical Victorian London in a wandering magical circus that is open only from sunset to sunrise. Full of dramatic surrealism and eminently an intriguing cabinet of curiosities, this is a must for an novel-lover! I might do a full post on this book - we shall see.

Eco Tools
Eco tools are a brand I discovered a while ago but have still stuck with mostly Zoeva or Real Techniques, but after I lost my Real Techniques while in Chicago and I haven't had time to wash my Zoeva ones, I had to find an alternative. Made from all naturally sourced materials, Eco Tools have a range of brushes and other products that are soft to the skin and work a treat. I love these so much and are such handy sizes for you to slip in your bag.

I have loved November as much as I did October! If you'd like to see what I got up to you can check out my Best Of October post. Let me know what your November favourites were!

All My Love

♥
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