An evening with Marks & Spencer and their Festive Food

Marks and Spencer food is always a little bit special, especially around Christmas time. Southampton Bloggers were invited by Marks & Spencer to learn more about the festive ranges this year in food, drink and clothing. Basically - the perfect evening with cheese!

We started the evening with an introductory talk from Charles, the manager of the West Quay branch here in Southampton who really loves his job and is passionate about food. He said he had the perfect job and after tasting all the goodies on offer, I was inclined to believe him.

The cheese board seemed to be the most popular of the evening with Chestnut Chutney and a Blackberry and Gin Jelly to accompany the cheese and crackers. Now I'm not a great fan of chutneys and the like, but both of these were very more'ish, esp the Blackberry and Gin. I would never have thought to try something like this so it was the perfect way to try something new.

There were Winter Berries and Sparkling Prosecco crisp complete with gold stars (seriously) plus the renowned Milk Chocolate Cinammon Sugar Tortilla Rolls. They were described as tasting of Christmas and I can't think of a better way to describe them.

No ordinary mince pies here, plus Salmon and Cream Cheese Blinis (I wanted ALL the mince pies...).

The sweets and desserts were pretty special too. Santa Hat Profiteroles, Macarons and a scrumptious luxury Yule Log were just some of the treats on offer. There were also Hand Finished Chocolates that looked more like miniature works of art.

And if that wasn't enough, we had hot food such as Mini Vegan Burgers, Christmas Sausage Rolls, Mini Mac and Cheese and Pigs in Blankets (which were definitely #MyMarksFave).

I rarely drink, but there was plenty of choices for non-drinkers. That made a really nice change as all too often the only non-alcoholic option is water or an orange juice. I worked my way through a selection of a Sparkling Summer Berry and non-alcoholic Bucks Fizz and a G&T.

For those who were drinking there were White Christmas, Jaffa Cake and Mince Pie Martini cocktails, plus plenty of Prosecco. The cocktails would make such a beautiful Christmas gift - I can think of a few people who love the Jaffa Cake one!

Remember what I said about wanting ALL of the mince pies....?

Many thanks to Marks & Spencer, Grayling South and Southampton Bloggers for a fantastic evening and the perfect start to Christmas. I can't wait to try the Sparkling Peach and Prosecco Conserve that we were given.

Thanks for reading

Cathy
cc

New Year sales haul - a new handbag or two....

We're into February and the sales are nearly done and dusted. So it seems a good time as any to have a look back and see what bargains I found.

I can't deny I found some lovely items. Only (slight) problem is - they're all handbags. 5 handbags to be exact. How many new handbags does a girl need? Well, quite a lot according to me.

The first one was bought before Christmas had even finished. I had spotted this beautiful clutch from Marks and Spencer earlier in the month but couldn't justify paying £45. However with a 50% reduction and vouchers burning a hole in my pocket - I hit the buy button on Christmas Eve while full of mince pies and Christmas cheer.

I think I would class this as a wonderfully impractical bag. It's going to show every fingerprint, you can't carry an awful lot in there and it can be a bit fiddly to open. But I love it. Goodness know where I'll use it though....

Next up was a bag that had been popping in and out of my basket at Simply Be for months. When I saw it was reduced, it was meant to be.

I like this bag even more than I expected. It's deceptively spacious and can fit my big old brick of a purse in as well as my phone, glasses and keys no problem. The zipped inner pocket is perfect for keeping anything small safe such as travel cards or tickets. The only downside is that the strap isn't adjustable, but as I like the straps long, it's not a problem.

The next bag is incredibly practical. It's become my everyday bag already and I've had a number of people ask me where it's from - TX Maxx!

It can be used as a backpack but has hooks on the side to make it more of a shoulder bag which I prefer. My favourite bits though are the outside pockets - one is the perfect phone size and the other fits my house keys in. No more scrabbling for keys at the bottom of your bag anymore. 

My last two bags are slightly quirky. The latest Disney collaboration with Cath Kidston were so lovely, but so expensive. I really didn't expect anything from the range to be in the January sales so quickly after being launched but when they were - well, that was my Christmas money used up (I think a lot of people who had paid full price just before Christmas were a bit disgruntled and I don't blame them).

Finally, a space man bag from Accessorize. No season is complete without a novelty bag from Accessorize!

In my defence, I have had a massive clear out with lots going to charity or onto Ebay. However, I didn't quite plan to 'restock' so quickly - oops!

Ah well, at least I have a bag for every outfit!

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Jumping into Winter

Hello there,

I'm not quite sure where I am with the weather at the moment - it got cold - I bought a few new jumpers and hats - now it's warm again. Grr!

Anyway, despite the unseasonably warm weather, I have a new selection of knitwear to show you. Which is just as well really as I got a bit too enthusiastic sorting out clothes for charity and gave away loads - does anyone else do that?

First up hats. I have a problem with hats - I love them. I seem to have hats in every colour and shape. These ones are all from Primark and at £2 - £3.50 each, it doesn't feel like too much of a bad obsession....

Then the jumpers, first up is a daisy print one from George at Asda. Not especially seasonal but oh so comfy! It's quite lightweight so will be a good one for early Spring wear as well.

The next jumper - I have to admit was bought months ago in the Marks & Spencer sale. I had almost forgotten about it. Very warm - but a bit awkward when eating (those cuffs!).

I love stars, I seem to have a ridiculous amount of tops with stars on, so why not get one more? This one is from Simply Be.

Finally in the this mega jumper haul, two goodies from Primark. I saw this jumper in grey first and then a few weeks later in a plum colour. It seemed a shame not to have both.

There you have it, new jumpers for Winter.

And remember - everything looks better with a hat on!

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Outfit August - the last day!

So here we are, the end of August and (for me anyway) the end of summer. It's also the end of Outfit August and while I haven't posted as many outfits as I'd like, I've enjoyed seeing what everyone else wore this month.

Recently we went out (on a week night as well!) to a new Miller & Carter restaurant that was opening almost on our doorstep. I wanted to look smart, but comfortable as I had a feeling there was going to be a lot of food involved.

This is a dress I bought in the sales probably a couple of years ago at least. I remember loving it, but never had much occasion to wear it. I should have sold it, charity shopped it etc, but I just loved it too much, so every time there was a wardrobe clear out - it survived.

I teamed it with a denim jacket from Next which is becoming a firm favourite and this beautiful tapestry bag from Primark. It's completely useless as a bag - by the time you get your keys and glasses in it's full - but it's so pretty!

And I was right about there being a lot of food - the evening ended with this (reminding me of the golden snitch from Harry Potter!).

Don't forget to check out the other lovely ladies who took part in Outfit August:

Leah
Kate
Mookie
Nikki
Christy
Becky
Christie
Katy

Thanks for reading

Outfit August - 9th August

Have you ever found something in your wardrobe that makes you think 'huh?'

I think I've had this checked top for years (and looking back at photos, it really is years!). But somehow, I just don't have the heart to get rid of it, so every now and then, it comes out again. I'm even struggling to remember where it's from, but I suspect Simply Be. The cardigan is from George at Asda, Jeans from M&S and trainers are my old faithful Converse.

I'm going to cheat a bit with Outfit August as with the weather lately, it's been pretty challenging to get out and about without getting blown away. So here's an extra shot of the same steps with a skirt from a few days earlier. Except that this shot didn't quite go to plan....

The perils of a windy day, lots of neighbours and a partner who loves taking photos when you're not ready!

Again, I'm not entirely sure where this skirt is from, I suspect it's M&S though.

Don't forget to check out the other lovely ladies taking part in Outfit August

Leah
Kate
Mookie
Nikki
Christy
Becky
Christie
Katy

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Outfit August - 6th August

It's August again and the lovely Leah from Love Leah is running Outfit August. This is the perfect opportunity to shop our wardrobes and find things we'd either forgotten about or fallen out of love with (and a great way to save money by not buying new clothes!).

Today we took a trip to Portsdown Hill. This is right on our doorstep and has beautiful views over Portsmouth Harbour, look closely and you can even spot the Spinnaker Tower too.

For out amble round the fields I was wearing jeans from M&S, my old faithful Primark trainers with a TU t-shirt and kimono top from Dorothy Perkins. All perfect for a bit of ad-hoc blackberry picking.

Check out the other lovely ladies taking part in Outfit August:

Leah
Kate
Mookie
Nikki
Christy
Becky
Christie
Katy

Thanks for reading and I'll try to do as many Outfit August posts as possible!

Cathy
xx