a medley of monochrome

Shirt: H&M  Blazer: H&M
Leggings: Topshop  Cardigan: River Island
Lipstick: Mac Russian Red

You will rarely catch me wearing black. I am a magpie to colourful clothes, especially during these dull dreary winter months. Monochrome however is another tale. I love a monochrome palette; so simple, chic and easy to wear. AW11 trends sees the stores studded with dalmatian and dog-tooth prints, as well as block patterns of black and white. I think these hues are really flattering and I love wearing a bright red lip as an playful juxtaposition to the outfit.

The blazer and the shirt are both quite recent purchases from H&M. I had been after a boyfriend-style blazer for a while and my search was finally satiated after a quick visit to H&M on my lunch break. The shirt is a lovely silky material and is just long enough to uphold my modesty when wearing leggings. And it has pockets - what more could you ask for!

The oversized chunky cardigan from River Island was an item recently sent to me to feature. I love the patchwork pockets, and the soft grey tones against the cream. It is so big and snug, it is the perfect cardigan to wrap yourself up in whilst sipping hot chocolate and dreaming of a warmer times.
If you fancy winning River Island's new AW collection, the Style Tribe range, which includes this cardigan, then simply play their Facebook game here. Find the nine hidden items and you will be entered into the competition. Good luck.

Have you immersed yourself in monochrome this season?
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Original Source Bath Soaks

As the Autumnal air starts to threaten a chill and we all begin to layer on our winter woollies, it is no better time of the year to soothe ourselves in a long hot bath to keep our toes toasty and banish those icy shivers. Such comfort comes from patiently watching the bubbles rise as the bath fills and dipping your toe in for the first time, revelling in the warmth that welcomes you.

Original Source, well-known for adding a splash of colour and burst of fragrance to our shower time, have created a new bath range, perfect for creating a relaxing, reviving and moisturising bath time experience. The three new bath products are packed with the best of what nature has to offer – set to awaken the senses and warm your cockles as the chill sets in. The bottles are a really sweet design - reminiscent of retro milk bottles with a gloriously colourful concoction inside. I really love the Original Source shower gels; my boyfriend opts for the tantalising tingle of the tea tree and mint whilst I prefer the soft comforting caress of the Shea butter and honey.

The three new bath soaks from Original Source are luxurious and aromatic; packed full of nature's greatest gems, from fragrant lavender and sweet vanilla to bracing black pepper and chilli. They are a blissful bath time addition for a sensual soak.

• Black Pepper and Chilli Bath – this bath soak packs a punch and will revive tired limbs after a tough day. The heat of the little Habenero chillies makes for the perfect plunge to warm up and energise your muscles. I think this would be my bath treat of choice after a gruelling game of hockey come mid-December, when all feeling in my fingers has deserted me.
• Lavender and Tea Tree Bath Foam – this bottle of natural goodness will help you float away in a state of pure relaxation. The healing properties of the tree tea oil are combined with the soothing powers of lavender to create a sea of tranquillity and calmness. This purple bottle is perfect from bringing some peace to the more traditional bather.
• Cocoa and Vanilla Bath Cream – a deliciously relaxing concoction of sweet-scented vanilla milk and cocoa beans makes this bath cream soothing and uplifting. The serotin-rich cocoa beans, proven to boost positive messages to the brain, will ensure you are awash with a wave of happiness whilst providing nourishment to your skin as you soak.

This trio of bath soaks is available from Boots, and other supermarkets, and retails at £2.20 (RRP). More information is available on the Original Source website, where you can also marvel at the rainbow of colours and assortment of products that Original Source has to offer. You can follow all the natural goodness goings-on with Original Source via their twitter and on their Facebook page.

What is your favourite bath time treat to add comfort, and a splash of indulgence, to your bath during the winter months?

This post is sponsored by Original Source

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cake glorious cake

As a little sideline enterprise, I find myself baking bespoke cakes for special occasions, which has only ensued from word of mouth through my family and work friends. Last week I was asked to create an indulgent chocolate cake for a lady's retirement in my office. Excited about the prospect ahead, I set to work researching and preparing for the chocolatey task before me. I wanted to photograph the creation of this cake step by step, but thought it was more sensible to concentrate of my flour sifting rather than my camera focus. However I will detail the simple steps taken if you wished to recreate this gigantic ganache-covered cake yourself, which I think is quite reminiscent of the cake that Bruce Bogtrotter triumphantly devoured in Matilda!

The cake is two tiered, so you will need to repeat this recipe twice so you are left with two round cakes of the same sized, so you can sandwich them one on top of the other.

For the sponge;
10oz butter, 10oz caster sugar
5 free range eggs, 10oz self raising flour
Large tablespoon of cocoa powder

Whizz together the butter and sugar until you have a light, fluffy creamed consistency. Add in the eggs, flour and cocoa and mix together again until all the ingredients are combined. Do not over-whisk the mixture otherwise it won't rise as well. Spoon into a greased baking tin and pop in the over at 180c for 40+ minutes. Every oven is different and all cakes will cook at varying rates so just keep an eye on it and skewer the middle to check all the mixture is cooked. When the skewer emerges clean, you know the cake is done! (repeat again to get your second cake)
Let the cakes cool completely before you add the ganache filling.

Ganache can instil mild panic amongst bakers, but it really isn't anything to be afraid of. Ganache is simply the combination of good quality chocolate and double cream, which creates a decadent, glossy and pliable coating for cakes. Ganache is the Rolls Royce of cake coverings and is far superior, and yummier, than buttercream.

To make the ganache;
350g good quality dark chocolate, 350ml double (pouring) cream

Break up the chocolate into a bowl and add in the cream. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir the chocolate and cream together until all the chocolate is melted and you have a sleek, rich mixture. It is so important you don't let the cream boil otherwise the ganache will split and be ruined. To begin with the ganache will be very loose and runny but as it cools, it changes state and will become firmer and then eventually will set completely. You can pop the ganache in the fridge or just leave it out to cool, until it is a stable consistency. You want it loose enough to roll off a spoon but firm enough to hold its shape otherwise it will just drip off the cake.

Layer the ganache all over one of the cakes and then gently place the second cake on top, pushing down firmly so they are securely sandwiched together. Don't worry if any ganache comes out the sides as you will be covering the whole cake with the ganache as well. With the remaining ganache, simply spoon it all over the top of your cake and with a palette knife, work it towards the edges. It will then roll down the sides of your cake and you can smooth it around with the palette knife. Continue to work the ganache over and around the cake until it is completely covered and you are left with a smooth, even finish.

For the decorations;
The next stage calls upon your artistic flair and there is no limit to what you could do. I used rolled icing and letter cutters to write the message on top and then prettified the edges on my cake my adding white buttons. You could make chocolate curls, add a splash of colour with smarties or create a fancy finish with some raspberries and berries.

The cake was presented to Jo on Friday and was so thrilled that she liked it and it went down a treat in my office. I luckily managed to scavenge myself a small slither before it was all scoffed and it was rather tasty...if I do say so myself!
x

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vying for my love

oh (MAC) Violetta lipstick, how I love thee!
Vivid, violet, with a velvety finish, it is a vivacious colour that just vies for my love.
As the autumnal chill beckons, I have cast aside the pastel pinks and have opted for the powerful purples and bewitching berry lipsticks for an enchanting and pigmented pout!
What is you favourite wintertime lipstick?
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sparkling in milan

No 7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour - Milan
I have a love/hate relationship with this polish. I love the colour, the finish and the glorious glitter, I hate the fact that it is impossible to photograph accurately. Believe me, it is much prettier, and paler in real life! It is an intriguing iridescent pink with silver shimmer running through it - perfect for getting your fingers festive as the Christmas season approaches.

I bought this varnish in a moment of mild panic as I realised I had an expiring No 7 Boots voucher and no real need for any of their products. I wouldn't normally peruse the No 7 (or Ruby & Millie) counters if it wasn't for those pesky, enabling vouchers, so I thought I would have a quick look and was drawn in by this particularly sparkly polish.

I wish I could say these are my real nails but I owe all their loveliness to Elegant Touch fake nails. They are the french manicure ones I wore to the Cosmo Blog Awards. I was impressed they were still intact by the weekend so, before they all flicked off, I seized the chance to give them a speedy swatch of this new polish. I only needed two coats to achieve a deep opaque finish and the glitter is really fine, so doesn't leave you with a gritty finish to your nails, which is always a bonus!

What products have you picked up recently with your No 7 voucher?
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keep calm and carry on

Keep Calm and Carry On Necklace - Temporary Secretary

I actually won this necklace last week from the lovely Sarah who was running a little twitter competition. Ever the opportunist, and wishing to show some support for her cute, kitsch jewellery range, I entered and was chosen as the fortunate winner. It is such a sweet piece and I wore it yesterday for the first time, generating much swooning and admiration. If you are endeared by trinkets like this, then definitely have a little look at the collection.

I have forgotten to mention before now but Pearls & Poodles has skipped into the 21st century and is now on Facebook, perfect if you want to keep up to date with all my posts and general goings-on.
I hope you all have wonderful weekends, and don't forget the clocks go back tonight meaning we are treated to one more blissful hour of sleep! :)
x

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cosmo blog awards 2011

Dress - River Island
Earrings - Primark
Shoes - Next
Nail - Elegant Touch French Manicure (short pink)
Rings - Vintage and Thomas Sabo
Bag -Accessorize

Last night was the highly anticipated, much mused about, Cosmo Blog Awards. The evening's festivities were held at 24 Kingly Street, in a maze of mirrors lined with Cosmopolitan cocktails, canapes and the obligatory cupcakes! It was a super occasion, mainly because I got to spend time with a bevy of brilliant bloggers who are just lovely ladies and a joy to be around. Despite the venue and sparkles on show, it was quite an informal gathering which was nice and meant we were at ease to mingle, play havoc in the photobooth and scoff cupcakes on the sly in the corner.

Luckily I had perfected my gracious losing face as sadly there was no trophy in tow this year, but all the winners were very worthy and I was so pleased for everyone, especially my fellow beauty blogging/vlogging nominees, Zoe and Anna and Sammi.
Here are some snaps from the night...

The girls pictured are:
Corrie, Lily, Zoe, Natalya, Fleur, Anna, Sabrina

One of the nicest touches to the evening was the showreel of our blogs projected on the walls of the venue, accompanied with a quote. This quote was one of the quotes that was submitted when our blogs were nominated. This was mine; it made me smile.

It read, "I love the way Milly writes her posts. She goes into great detail and her photos really pick up the essence of the products. Her style of writing makes it so easy to read, it is like listening to a friend. Her blog was the reason I decided to set up my own."
- To whoever wrote that - thank you :)

As I have said all the way along, I was just so happy, and honestly rather surprised, to be shortlisted and just thrilled for Pearls & Poodles to be recognised as an Established Beauty Blog. I would like to say a massive congratulations to all the winners - really well done. If you want to see all the winners, they can be viewed here. This whole occasion really highlighted to me how much blogging means to me. Not for the awards, the limelight or the fancy cocktails, but just for the sheer pleasure it brings me and the fact that I get to share that enjoyment with you all. So thank you.
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