Hi everyone! I hope you are having a really fun Christmas Day and you get all you wish for! I cant believe that this time last year I was having my Christmas pizza with my travel buddies at Airlie Beach, Australia!! Seems like forever ago!
Xmas Meal at Airlie Beach, Australia!
Getting festive a few days before Xmas on Fraser Island, Australia
This year I'm back at home in the UK celebrating with the fam! Christmas would not be complete without a Panetone and Cherry Chocolate! :-)
1 jar Maraschino cherries, cut in half and stems removed
50ml milk
1 and 1/2 teaspoons almond extract, divided
1 cup icing sugar
METHOD
1. Cream together the butter, sugar and eggs. Add 1 teaspoon of the almond extract.
2. Slowly beat in the flour and salt.
3. Spread the batter over a greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle the batter with the cherries and bake at 175 degrees Celsius/350 degrees Fahrenheit until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and cool.
4. Mix together the milk, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and icing sugar. Whisk until there are no more lumps.
5. Drizzle over the cooled cookie bars.
6. Cut into 1.5 inch squares and munch away (if you haven't started already like me)!
Hi girlies! I have to admit I'm not the most fashionable person in the world but I do love looking at all the gorgeous couture dresses on the red carpet and so I wanted to share with you my absolute favourite fashion designer - Zuhair Murad. He is a Lebanese designer based in Beirut. After studying in Paris and gaining some recognition internationally he opened his first atelier in Beirut in 1995. He is a relative newcomer to fashion scene but through his stunning couture he has established a high reputation.
His style has been described as reminiscent of Egyptian princesses and Greek goddess which I agree with but I can also see his eastern background reflected in his couture. I love the flowing fabrics which remind me of Indian sari's, embroidery details reminiscent of mehandi (henna) designs and the elegant colours used all centred around emphasising the beauty of womens silhouette.
Below are some of his pieces worn by celebrities on the red carpet. I would really love to hear about your favourite designers or dresses that you have seen and have fallen in love with!
Jennifer Lopez - American Music Awards 2011
Kerry Washington - Emmy Awards 2011
Taylor Swift - Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2011
Camila Alves - Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2011
Blake Lively - Times 100 Influential People Gala 2011
Jennifer Lopez - Golden Globe Awards 2011
Nina Dobrev - Emmy Awards 2010
Cheryl Cole - X Factor 2010
Selena Gomez - Justin Timberlake Friends and Familiy Concert 2010
Anna Kendrick - Trevor Live 2010
Blake Lively - Gossip Girl
Cheryl Cole - X Factor 2010
Kim Kardashian - FiFi Awards 2010
Jennifer Carpenter - Emmy Awards 2009
I especially loooooved his Spring Summer 2011 collection with incredily with so many absolutely stunning design...this is where I really saw the eastern influence of sari's and mehandi. Here are some of my favourites with a couple extras from other collections (sorry this is pic heavy but I just love all these outfits and really want to share them!) I hope you enjoy!
