{two beautiful things : breakfast & romance}

"Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze."

~ Elinor Glyn.

{cooking via instagram : slutty brownies}

If you read my {two thousand and thirteen} post, you'll know I'm not the best cook. Or even a good one. I've vowed to make the effort to rustle up something new at least once per month; starting with the delicious, calorific treat commonly known as Slutty  Brownies. They're called slutty brownies because they're so easy and more than a little filthy! Best served warm from the oven with a little vanilla ice cream, they stay good for a good five days of indulgence - not that they'll last that long! 

I thought good way to document my cooking would be via the medium of instagram, and simply snap my way through the process of creating a culinary delight - keep you eyes peeled for the next few installments.

y o u ' l l  n e e d  . . .

1 box of betty crocker cookie mix

1 box of berry crocker brownie mix

2 eggs

2 packets of oreos

some oil

I'm a victim of 'fake it til you make it' and succumbed to the fabulous Betty Crocker packet mixes, you could of course make your own cookie dough and brownie mix but, personally, I think life is too bloody short.

y o u ' l l  n e e d  to  . . .

Preheat your oven to 350°F, 180°C, gas mark 4.

Line a baking tray with grease proof paper.

Follow the instructions on the cookie mix box & stir furiously until you have a lovely gooey cookie dough, I added a little extra water and oil to what they suggest,to keep it moist as you'll be baking it for longer than suggested. An extra teaspoon of each is just right.

The Rachelle Lust List: 30th October | Halloween Edition

I'll use any excuse for a celebration, so why shouldn't Halloween be one, too? A party, excuse to dress up and eat too many 'spooky' sweets. Its not all plastic masks and pumpkin carving, little touches can make for a glamorous evening! 1. Any occasion that allows me to (sort of) justify buying an Alexander McQueen bracelet (£160) is a good occasion in my book. 2. If you follow me on Twitter, you'll not only have read my hungover stories, but seen me twit-pic a dozen Halloween style Krispy Kremes on Sunday evening. Just what the doctor ordered to lift the hangover-haze.. 3. There's a Shu Uemura lash for any occasion, and while I'm not keen on bats dripping from my lashes, these cute outer-corner lashes (£15) have just the right amount of sparkle to create the perfect cat-eye. 4. Alexander McQueens skull clutch receives its most dramatic makeover yet, in shaggy Mongolian fur. The accessory of all chic Halloween outfit accessories. 5. Straying mildly off-topic here, the new Miss Selfridge Project (#3) launched last week. I always love these collections, alongside biker jackets and dresses with leather galore, this black jumper (£50) is exactly the black jumper I wanted for this season. 6. Bobbi Brown have released the ultimate in smokey-eye palettes, I love the texture of the brands eyeshadows - this pretty little lot will smoke you from scary Halloween looks to festive parties. 7. When better for a vampy dark lip than Halloween? Tom Ford wins this category hands down with the infamous Black Orchid lipstick (£36). 8. Fortnum & Mason are the Charbonnel et Walker of luxury sweets, I found myself buying these Dracular's Dentures for myself... 9. A candle too pretty to burn, I never thought I'd hear myself make that statement, but this D.L & Co candle will look stunning on your mantle all year round. And its not cheap to replace at £80! 10. More irresistible festive treats are available from Williams-Sonoma, sour bats in adorable cork-topped bottles are just one of the many sugary beauties available. 11. I find skull jewellery a really easy way to add an edge to my look on a daily basis, and I adore Nicole Richie's range of earrings at House of Harlow, so it was a certain that I'd fall for these Triple Skull Stud Earrings (£34). Have you any tips to up the glamour at Halloween? rachelle xo

Places to Stay: The Feversham Arms, North Yorkshire

I adore a romantic (see term; dirty weekend...) break with the boy, and its often refreshing to opt not for a city break, but for a gorgeous rural hotel in the country with nothing but an amazing room, spa, restaurant and each other  In the pretty (up)market town of Helmsley, The Feversham Arms is made up of a cluster of rustic pale stone cottages arranged around a heated outdoor pool, this place has it all.

For me, the highlights of staying here include, but aren't limited to, the gorgeous champagne afternoon tea by the fire, Aroma Stone massage and Anti-Ageing Smoothie facial in the Verbena spa, our amazing suite - Room 22 – a galleried poolside suite with a wood-burning stove and the Poached white peach, vanilla shortbread and lemon verbena granite. As amazing as it sounds.

Michelin-starred chef Chris Staines (formerly of Marco Pierre White’s Oak Room) is now at the helm, alongside head chef Simon Kelly (ex The Waterside Inn, Bray and Nico at Ninety Park Lane). Dinner is served in the hotel restaurant between 6.45 and 9pm with a choice between a five-course tasting menu and a three-course a la carte. The restaurant has a modern take on fine dining and comes with a real sense of occasion, so pack heels and your favourite clutch. The five-course tasting menu is treat not to be missed. Dishes such as lemon-baked halibut with chervil hollandaise and asparagus keep the local foodie fraternity flocking here (and my chef beau happy!).

Table for Two: Blackberry Cupcakes

one of my favourite simple pleasures, is dragging the boy through the fields of our local berry farm (which is definetley aimed at the under tens...) to pick some fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. This annual tradition tends to take place in the warmer summer months (mud isn't one of my favourite things) but these past few months have been so chaotic, and of course the weather hasn't been ideal, so we're a season behind and went blackberry picking instead.

with the (fairly lacking) blackberries left after we demolished far too many on the journey home and in a further fruit salad, I decided to make a batch of my favourite cupcakes, with a blackberry twist.

Lately: Via Instagram | A Catch Up...

Its been an awfully long time since my last, Lately: via Instagram post, I'm not as Instagram obsessed as alot of you ladies so it takes some time to compose a full post! This could be due to my loyaly to my old faithful Blackberry so I only take photos through the social network on my iPod or iPad, which often get left behind when packing the Mulberry for the day...

my favorite body cream from Laura Mercier, it literally smells like lemon curd  |  obsessed with summer berries, I cannot stop eating them

a very exciting new foundation, 'Parure de Lumière'' by Guerlain was kindly sent to me, I cannot wait to try! watch this space.. | the best latte ever

a peek of a hot Sunday afternoon outfit; cream Topshop boutique mini dress, Steve Madden studded sandals, Chanel bag and Hermès collier de chien bracelet | shower gel samples from the body shop, perfect for my imminent Thailand trip! 

Places: Champagne Afternoon Tea at the Dorchester | London

Tasseled drapes and soft lighting, tufted settees and silk cushions, crisp white table cloths and silver-rimmed china, salmon pasta shell roll served with toast, lox and caviar, freshly backed scones with clotted cream, tea and delicate pastries and it's champagne afternoon tea at The Dorchester, London. Don't make a trip to London without a visit here . . .

Table for Two: Cherry Trifle

Simplicity in its very finest form, these beauties take just ten minutes to (literally) whip up and, of course, they're truly delicious. You could make them with any kind of fruit, berry or chocolate; sort of depending what you have lying around or what you fancy . . .

y o u ' l l  n e e d  . . .

4 ladyfinger busicuts

2 tbsp kirsch liqeur
2 dl heavy cream
1 tbsp sugar
15 pitted cherries
grated dark chocolate
toasted walnuts

Happy Weekend: Fun at Breakfast Time

Weekends should be all about fun, no? Especially extra-long, bank holiday weekends! I'm starting this three-day weekend with a leisurely breakfast in bed (as per...) complete with homemade juice, pancakes, fruit and a few sugar treats, while trying not to think about squeezing into a bikini in seventeen little days...

Table for Two: Ginger, Basil & Grapefruit Spritzer

Another Sunday afternoon, another summer cocktail. Just as it should be. I adore the sharpness of basil that sort of lingers within you, this balance of the basil and ginger soda with an added citrus kick from the grapefruit juice is beyond refreshing.

y o u ' l l  n e e d  . . .

75g butter, softened

2 large grapefruit

2 cups of ice

3 cans of ginger soda

a handful of fresh basil

1/4 cup of basil simple syrup (easily made the same way all simple syrup is, but with the addition of chopped basil, not forgetting to strain before leaving to cool)

1 bottle of champagne or white wine

Table for Two: Strawberry Buttercream Cupcakes

The most perfect summer treat, this strawberry frosting tastes just like strawberry ice cream. They really do taste as good as they look, and take no time or effort to make. I did say they are the perfect summer treat...

Lust List - 16th July 2012

1. Thanks to the August edition of Harpers Bazaar, I got a full sized 75ml sample of Neom Organics Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Hand Cream (£20). Wow. Beautifully moisturising, 83% organic and possibly my new favourite scent in the world, this has me craving more Neom products. 2. Charlotte Olympia has done it again with the pre-fall collection, expect further obsession to arrive onsite in the near future. I'm a firm believer in the 'why wear one ring when you can stack four?' philosophy. 3. These Pandora rings are top of my stacking list, from £40. 4. Half Baked Cakes = genius. If you aren't the most able cook, fool your friends by sticking one of these ready made beauties into the oven for £5, decorate it and greet the impressed girls with the waft of fresh baking. Mmmm. 5. As a gin lover, Bulldog (£22 at Waitrose) is definitely worth a try - even if it may just be for the beefy bottle alone... 6. Who doesnt love picnics? This beautiful hamper is picnic ready, and you can even personalise it with  names & dates (£139.99 at ToxicFox). 7. I've tried the Garnier Sunkissed Summer Body Milk in Dark (£3.55) two or three times over the last week & it is perfect for my current tanning needs. Expect a full review in the very near future. 8. Hiya, the new Hervé Léger shape. How amazing? This horrifically expensive (£2,175) beauty needs to be on my back for a summer wedding. Obsessed. 9. I'm a huge fan of Gucci by Gucci fragrance, its been my go-to daytime staple for about two years. I cant wait to try the new Gucci Première which blends notes of leather, wood and orange blossoms, it  arrives in Harrods towards the end of July (£64). rachel xo

Table for Two: No-Bake Berry Cheesecake

I've admitted before; I'm not the worlds greatest cook. I have a live-in chef as a boyfriend, so fortunately I don't starve. What I can do, is spend a minimal amount of time in the kitchen perfecting amazing tasting cakes, sweets, cocktails and the occasional meal - which are incredibly simple to throw together yet look outstanding. This no-bake berry cheesecake this the epitome of my cooking...

A Guide To: Champagne

"Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!"

~ Dom Perignon, at the moment he discovered champagne.

{a guide to:}

Champagne. A light sparkling wine made only in the champagne region of north-eastern France, is different from all other sparkling wines in the world for three major reasons:
* a wine can only be labelled as champagne if it is made in the champagne region of france

* to be called champagne, it must be made only from the pinot noir, pinot meunier, or chardonnay grapes which grow in that region
* true champagne, as opposed to other sparkling wines, gets its bubbles by undergoing the fermentation process twice: once in barrels and again in bottles.

Table for Two: Peach Collins

One of our go-to recipes for summer evening cocktails is the incredibly sweet and simple Peach Collins. A play on the traditional Tom Collins, this drink calls for only a few ingredients and takes just seconds to prepare.

 y o u ' l l  n e e d  . . .

• 1/4 Cup of Simple Syrup
• 1/4 Cup of Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Cup of Chopped Ripe Peaches
• 1/2 Cup of Peach Flavoured Vodka
• 1/2 Cup of Soda Water (or Lemonade if you like it super-sweet)
• 2 x Peach Slices

Spotlight on: Ladurée

No rendezvous on the Champs-Elysées is complete without a stop at my favourite "fabricant de douceurs & gourmandies": Ladurée, in all its gilded grandeur.

In the early 1900s, Pierre Desfontaines, cousin of Ladurée's founder, Louis Ernest Ladurée, took two almond meringue cookies and joined them with a divine ganache filling - creating the macaron as we know it. Prior to that, macarons were simply cookies, first brought to France in 1533.