Festival Fashion : Hunter Giveaway

You guys love a good festival.

More and more of you have been asking me for my festival tips and what you should wear. 

I'm somewhat of a festival baby. One of my earliest memories is sitting on my father's shoulders watching Van Morrison at Glastonbury. 

I've been almost every year since then. 

Rain or shine, I take pride in being the first on site every summer. 

Sadly Glasto didn't happen this year so I can't show you photos, I can however share what I would have worn on day one... 

This year is all about flower crowns.
Festivals are a great excuse to wear them as you can't really get away with popping one on to nip to Safeway and they're great at making you stand out from the crowd.
It's easy to get lost at festivals, but one of these should ensure your friends can pick you out of the sea of unwashed masses.

Mine was homemade, but ASOS Marketplace has some great options:

1, 2, 3

A sturdy pair of shorts and a t-shirt should leave you free to dance the night away or slump down on the grass and with a big bowl of tacos and a cold beer.
My shorts are the (sadly) sold out Fashion Against Aids ones, my top is from Topshop and my belt is from Mulberry.

However, your wellies are by far the most important thing you'll pack for your festivities.
There is nothing worse than cold, wet feet.
You already know Hunters are my boot of choice but these badass little studded babies are just so rock 'n' roll I couldn't resist!

I love mine so much, I thought I'd give a pair away!
A little Friday pick-me-up.
Either Like or Tweet the post and then just leave me a comment with:
Your name,
Where you're from,
What size boot you wear,
What you'd wear them with.
The winner will be chosen by me at the end of next week, so be creative!
(Don't forget to leave a way to get in touch with you if you win)

If you just can't wait and need to get your hands on a pair now, you'll find them here.  

Have a great weekend Huntresses!

Ps. Boys, you're more than welcome to enter for the lady in your life. 

Winner

Thankyou to everyone who entered, some of you guys have some seriously stylish ideas!

After 2 days of deliberations, I finally picked a winner... it was a tough decision, but I think you'll agree that she's a worthy contestant.

Congratulations to Amelia Lockheart who won with this beautifully written little note:

I love your style!
I'm Amelia Lockheart from Lincolnshire.
I'm trying to expand my fashion horizons and these boots just look like the perfect opportunity!
I'd wear them with a little french sundress I picked up in a market near Cannes. It's pale blue and totally covered with daisies. I've been in the sun a lot recently so my skin is getting brown and my freckles are starting to come through.
My sister and I used to make flower crowns just like yours when we were little girls. She passed away recently and your photos had me in tears. Not in a bad way just the way that makes you remember the good times.
I'm not telling you about her so that you pick me I'm sure that you'll pick some gorgeous girl from somewhere exotic like Australia or New York I just like to talk about her and your photos touched me.
There's a boy who works in a shop in my village and I've been trying to pluck up the courage to talk to him so if I won I would wear my sundress and my new hunters and march right up to him and kiss him right on the lips. Brownie promise!
xxx

Please send me a pic when your new boots arrive, Amelia. I'm sure we'd all love to see them with your sundress! 

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Pho

I am always being asked for affordable, fun restaurants in Central London.
The problem with Central is that it's full of Costas, Pizza Huts, Burger Kings and Starbucks.
You hate eating in chains but you don't want to break the bank at fancy independents.
Pho is a great happy medium.
It's a family owned restaurant, but there are a few of them dotted across London.
I've only been to the one in Soho but it's my go-to spot for a relaxed lunch and my ultimate hangover haven.
An unassuming little place on Wardour Street, the interior is dark, cosy and very Vietnamese.

You know me by now, I tend to order a smattering of starters to share and follow up with a main.
That way I get to try everything and palm whatever I don't like off onto my friends.
(Don't tell them I said that.)

We went for the Pho Xao Thit Ga, the Viatnamese version of Pad Thai. (My favourite)

Goi Cuon Tom, summer rolls with prawns and fresh herbs.

Goi Ngo Sen, a big bowl of chicken salad with tangy lotus stem, green beans and cashew nuts.

Bottom left are Cha Gio, fried pork spring rolls.
Followed by a huge bowl of Pho with garlic steak.

You're given a side plate of herbs, limes, chillies and nuts to add as you see fit.
This gives the soup a really fresh, light taste... and makes you feel important. Look at you making your own Vietnamese soup! You're practically a local!

Having eaten enough for a small army, we skipped pudding and fell streight into the coffee section.
'Ca Phe Sua Da' is chilled black coffee that drips into a bed of condensed milk.

Very, very naughty.
If you're feeling adventurous they also serve Weasel Coffee. If you don't know what that is, let me explain.
Fuzzy wee Vietnamese weasels love coffee beans. They can't get enough of them.
Well someone, god knows who, thought it was a good idea to try and make coffee from their um... how can I put this... poop.
While you or I might have muttered our excuses and quietly backed away, others saw the method in his madness and followed suit.
Soon the whole world was jumping on board and I hear it's one of the best cups of coffee you'll ever try.
Still suffering with the slight tinges of a hangover, I wussed out and went for jasmin tea.

To be fair it is very pretty.

If you're a fan of Asian food, chilled restaurants with chopsticks in wrappers and friendly, knowledgable staff, I highly recommend Pho.
They don't take reservations, but there's usually room at the bar. If you're going for a long, relaxed lunch try and get there early or late and bag a table by the windows.
Soho is a people watching gold mine.
You can find other locations, menus etc here.
If you have a peanut allergy give this one a miss.



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Custard's Country Life

Good morning Londoners! 

Yesterday I was minding my own business, checking my Facebook messages and reading up on celebrity gossip (you know for a royal, that Lupo really ought to have better manners) and I came across Mother's blog. 

I saw all your kind words about my previous ramblings and decided it was high time I regale you with some of my more recent adventures.

As always, I shall dictate my story as I still haven't gotten the hang of a keyboard.
I'm living in the country at the moment, so I like to start my mornings with a stroll around the grounds. I check the perimeter, count the trees and check on the livestock.
You have to watch the fish particularly carefully, they are not to be trusted.

After my stroll I went back to bed to find Mummy.
I snuggled under her arm and wiggled and sniffled until she got up.
We've always liked to eat breakfast together, and seeing as she's usually in the city, she makes an extra fuss of me when she's home.
I got to sit up at the counter wearing sunglasses and have some of last night's chicken...

Boom.
Ladies, you know where to find me.
Later that day we drove to one of my favourite hills for walkies. Someone stupidly told me that we were going for "waaaallkkiiieeeesss" before we left so my darn tail got the better of me, wagged all over the place and gave away my excitement.
Having already embarrassed myself I decided there was nothing to lose... so played Super Dog the whole way there.

I know what you're thinking.
"Does he have a theme tune?"
Yes, yes he does.
It goes something like this- duuu duuuu duuuummm duuumm dooo ddooooo dddooooooom, dum duuuu dummmm daaaaa dum dum dum dooooool.
Got it? Doesn't it stir you to your very core?
Moving on.
Having climbed to the top of the hill I met a puppy.
We shook hands...

Bowed...

And played.

Stupid puppy. 

Doesn't he know I'm Super Dog? 

My agility is unmatched.

My cuddle skills are also second to none. Something I demonstrated with Niamh, Mum's niece. 

Half way through Niamh's snooze I snuck off to the garden to catch some rays.
There is just nothing better than a warm belly, I'm sure you'll agree.

I woke up just in time to photo bomb Olga.
Photo bombing is when you leap into other people's photos at just the right moment. You can do it to tourists, friends, girls making duck faces...
I got Olga doing her "puppy dog eyes".

Ahh... she'll be so annoyed when she sees this!
Mummy had to work for most of the afternoon.
I hate work, so stared at her like this for almost 2 hours.

It didn't work, so I gave up and went off to eat one of her socks.
I came back in the early evening and tried this pose...

She cracked.
She said it was my "most interesting dog in the world" pose, put the laptop down and snuggled me infront of the fire.
That's my favourite thing.
I may even like it more than chicken.
Maybe.

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Fool Proof No Knead Crusty Bread

Last week I posted this picture on Instagram. 

I didn't think much of it as I tore a piece off and smothered it in salted butter and honey. This bread has the best crust that sort of snaps rather than crumbles and a bubbled, soft centre with holes that fill with butter. 

I'd eaten half the loaf before I picked up my phone again and saw your cries of "recipe, recipe!" 

Now, I'm not usually one for making bread, I can never be bothered with all that kneading and proving... patience isn't really my thing. 

This little beast has changed my mind. 

The recipe is an old Le Creuset one, so you will need a Le Creuset dish or a similar enamelled cast iron pot with a lid. 

Size doesn't matter (in this instance), it just has to be deep and have a lid. 

Grab:

3 cups unbleached white flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon yeast
1 1/2 cups water

Get your biggest mixing bowl and mix together your flour, salt & yeast. Pour in your water, little by little, stirring until your left with a mixture that looks like this:

Ok so it's not winning any beauty pageants... but trust me, it'll taste better than it looks.
Cover the bowl with cling film and leave it somewhere warm for about 12 hours, it's best if you make it in the evening and leave it over night.
When you come back you should have a bubbly mixture, about twice the size.

Heat the oven to 230°C (450°F) and pop your pot in to preheat for 30-45mins.
While things are hotting up, scrape your dough onto a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball.

Set aside to rest until your pot is heated.
Get your pot out and carefully place your dough inside. Using your mitts, place the lid back on top and place it back into the oven.
(NB: You don't need to oil, grease or butter the pot.)
Bake for 30mins.

Remove lid and bake for a further 15mins.

You should be left with a bronzed beauty of a loaf.
Pull it out and place it onto a cooling rack.

When it's cooled a little, cut it open and smother with something deliciously melty, like cheese or butter.

This recipe is so easy, once you've made it once you'll be able to whip it up any time you feel like it.
Perfect to stir together on a Friday night, ready to fill your house with the smell of fresh baked goodness on Saturday morning.
When you slip yours out of the oven make sure you send me an Instagram (@rosiethelondoner).





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The Graduate

As you know, I've been in St Andrews helping my little brother celebrate his graduation. 

After four long years it was time for him to say goodbye to the little town that had changed him so much. 

When Harry left for university he was still a kid in so many ways. 

The guy I came home with is a bright, talented & handsome young man who's got the world at his feet. 

I left a sunny Kings Cross station behind and boarded my train. 

After the long journey north, I was greeted at the boys house with cheers and a big red cup was thrust into my hands.

Now, St Andrews isn't just any university.
While most students sip on larger & lambrini, the St A boys know how to party.
Champagne, whisky & cigars all round.
In the early hours I left them singing country songs and reminiscing about old times to make my way to bed.

The next morning we slipped into Mitchell's Deli for full Scottish breakfasts, complete with haggis and big pots of tea.

I hate the rain & I loathe getting my feet wet.
This does not make me an ideal candidate for life in St Andrews.
The second I arrive I pull on my mac & my hunters and refuse to take them off for anyone.
But... seeing as this was Harry's big day, I conceded and swapped ma waders fo' pumps.

We watched from the balcony and whooped and cheered when H's name was finally called.

Then it was time to party.

Yes, that is a mortar board cupcake.
We certainly know how to party.

For supper we went to The Adamson.
A new, family owned restaurant on South Street.

The food was exceptional and they serve great cocktails, if you're in the area I highly recommend a trip. 

Later that night we took ourselves dancing but tumbled home, exhausted just a few hours later. 

Guess where I dragged everyone for breakfast the next day...

You got it, back to Mitchell's for boiled eggs, soldiers & a side of haggis (my new obsession).
After a long, blustery walk on the beach we went home to get ready for the ball.
I was given a total of four minutes, but you should never underestimate a girl who can apply eyeliner with one hand and no mirror!

I wriggled into my Von Furstenberg gown and we headed to dinner at the Balgove Steak Barn.
Yes, Barn.

It's a huge, open sided shed with long trestle tables and blankets for your knees. 

From a menu of local steaks, sausages and burgers we plumped for a round of côtes de bœuf to share.
We weren't disappointed, look at the size of those beasts!

Having eaten our weight in steak, onion rings and fries, we jumped in our carriage to the ball.

I blame this vodka luge for the fact that I have so few pictures of the evening!

Needless to say we had an incredible time and we were both very sorry to leave at the end of the weekend.
I adore Harry and his friends and wish everyone graduating this summer all the luck and success in the world!
I know leaving university can be a seriously scary time, so listen up...

You'll do just fine!




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