Let's Start With This One...

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Today, the 5th February, marks World Nutella Day! The day dedicated to all things good about the best chocolate spread around! When I was younger, it was always a tradition to spend Friday and Saturday nights in the kitchen with my brother making slices of toast covered in hot melty spread. 

I would have it on crumpets, rice pudding, crepes and more! Since my illness took over, I’ve not been able to enjoy it again, however,it hasn’t stopped me from appreciating the beauty of this brand and the taste of it. Still a firm favourite in our home, especially with my brother, we now use it within our bakes to make them even richer. 

To mark the big event, I thought it was only right to share one of those recipes with you! A super simple two ingredient Nutella mug cake recipe in fact! Get ready to have a gorgeous treat in no time at all…

Ingredients

One Large Egg

Four Tablespoons of Nutella

Equipment 

Your Favourite Mug

A Whisk or Fork

A Microwave

A Spoon

Method 

Start by selecting your favourite mug. Make sure that it is safe to go in the microwave. 

Add the four tablespoons of Nutella to your mug before adding in the large egg. 

Using the fork or the whisk, mix the pair together until they are well combined. 

Place into the microwave and cook on a high setting for one minute 30 seconds or until the cake has risen and is set in the middle. 

Grab your spoon and tuck in! You could even drizzle some melted Nutella on top for extra chocolatey goodness! 

So quick and easy to do! This is one you can make with every meal today to celebrate World Nutella Day lovelies! How do you like to enjoy yours? 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

January can often be a bleak month but having gone into 2024 with a fresh head, I feel like it is going to be a good year. Especially if it has such amazing things or happenings in it as January did. 

I won’t lie it was quite hard to pick some of my favourites. But here are just a few lovelies…

My Favourite Read - A Nursery Rhyme for Every Night of the Year by Allie Esiri: I love Allie’s books. For the past few years, I have enjoyed her poems a day books. This year,I’m delving back into nursery rhymes. It’s so interesting to discover the ones from my childhood again. Plus, the book also includes how they came to be, which has been super interesting.

My Favourite TV Show/Film - Bluey: I’m not afraid to say that I love this show a lot! I think it is really made for adults! Every episode has a message behind it, ones that only adults understand, making it super special and thought provoking! Plus, Bingo is my spirit animal!

My Favourite Food Find - Bonne Marman Peach Conserve: After getting this in my Christmas Day food stocking, I can’t wait to try it by spooning it on to my cereal, stirring it into the warm milk and watching it melt to add some flavour. You can see this has been made with real pieces of fruit. Plus, I imagine the flavour is going to be incredible. Getting this in my stocking was definitely a motivation to try something new.

My Favourite Beauty Item - DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom Perfume: In my Christmas present recapping, I spoke about my love for DKNY perfumes after my dad got me one before he passed away. My neighbour, Casey, brought me this one and it has become a staple in my every day beauty routine. The smell is making me excited for all the spring flowers.

My Favourite Podcast - Parenting Hell: I think it was the Christmas recapping episodes that did it for me. My love for this podcast grows more and more each week. I love hearing about what has happened to Rob and Josh every time they upload a new one. Although, I’m not sure if I will ever want to be a parent after hearing their stories.

My Favourite Experience - New Year: Oddly, even though it isn’t an experience, I’ve found entering a new year very refreshing. Me and my mum have set about cleaning up and making our house how we want it to be. I’ve started a new diary and just felt happier. My brother got the all clear from skin cancer and we have already started to make plans for next Christmas! I hope 2024 is going to be a good one! 

What were some of your favourite things from January lovelies? I would love to know! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Last night, I was meant to head to the brilliant Côte Brasserie in York, however, due to some tummy issues, I couldn’t make it! Yet, the fantastic team I have made sure that the opportunity wasn’t missed to try out their new Alpine Menu and took over for me! 

Kindly offered to us by a PR, we were booked in to be seated at 7:30pm on the 2nd February. Although it was a Friday, the restaurant wasn’t too busy. In fact, it was nice and cosy, which is just what you want when trying an Alpine inspired menu. Although the team didn’t wear the skiwear attire that could have got them free drinks. 

Seated right away, our waiter Zak, was so lovely and professional when taking all of our orders. Starting with our drinks! Alexa, who headed down to the restaurant to review it for me, decided on the alcohol free, Spiced Apple Highball, priced at £6.95. Made up of cold-pressed apple juice and Fever-Tree spiced orange ginger ale, with a hint of rosemary and a dried apple slice, the cocktail was refreshing, sweet and perfect on a Friday night out. Her partner Dave opted for a cool cider, which was also the perfect accompaniment to the rest of the meal. 

Upon having taken their order, Zak returned with their starters and olives to begin the night with. Having chosen from the Alpine Menu again, Alexa was served the Diots dish, which costs £8.95. The dish includes smoked Toulouse sausage and cherry tomatoes sautéed in white wine with thyme, butter and caramelised onion, all served with a freshly baked sourdough baguette. Portioned out generously, the meal was hearty but light, not being too feeling before the big meal. It was said to be full of flavour, with the refreshing tomatoes mixing well with the thyme and smoky sausage. It’s a dish that would be perfect to enjoy all year round. 

For Dave’s starter, he chose to enjoy the calamari, which came out with a slice of lemon and a gorgeously mixed Provençal mayonnaise. Again, the portion sizes, taste and look of the meal could not be faulty. With a great starter having been had, the excitement for the main had been built for the two. 

Sticking with the Alpine Menu options, Alexa chose the Tartiflette dish for one, priced at £14.95. Also available in a luxe edition for two, the dish contains a gratin of sliced potatoes, caramelised onion and smoked bacon lardons, all topped with melted Reblochon and Comté cheese. Served alongside a green salad and again a freshly baked sourdough baguette. Upon tasting it, Alexa sent me a message containing a photo of the meal and the word outstanding alongside it. 

Creamy, well portioned and providing a taste that had her stating she would go back for it again. The meal couldn’t have been better. With the most perfect atmosphere, great company and beautiful cosy feels, Côte Brasserie had made a main course that delighted every single sense. 

Something that was matched with Dave’s meal, which was the confit pork belly, served with savoy cabbage and gratin dauphinois potatoes in a Calvados and thyme jus. Describing it to me as the most tender piece of pork he has ever tasted, the dish was just as superb as the Alpine one. Both mains highlighting how Côte Brasserie have made a menu to suit the needs of all. 

Having been delighted by the mains, it was time to tuck into the deserts! Alexa went for the new Alpine option of the Pear and Frangipane Tart, made to share and costing £15.95 . The tart is a beautiful almond frangipane and pear creation, which is topped with melted white chocolate, blueberries and viola flowers, served with a blueberry compote and vanilla ice cream. Mixing winter with spring, the desert was a gorgeously refreshing creation that had the taste buds tingle from the first bite. Sharing it between the two, they could see how freshly prepared the dish was, as the ice cream and chocolate melted onto it to give it that little extra magic. 

Having been enticed by the taste of the first desert, Dave went on to choose the chocolate fondant option too. Topped with a salted caramel sauce, he couldn’t fault it in anyway. As soon as the spoon broke into the spongy outer layer, the chocolate trickled down onto the plate, delivering a rich pool of chocolate goodness. 

Overall, the pair described the meal as pure perfection. The Côte Brasserie is a place that both would highly recommend to others, with the ambience in the restaurant being described as calming and relaxing, attentive staff on hand to help every step of the way and food that is perfectly portioned, outstandingly tasty and in no way faulty.

It’s a place the pair described as being trendy, stylish and above all delicious. If you are heading to York, it’s really the place to go according to them! To find out more or to book a table, head to the Côte Brasserie website now lovelies! It sounds like your taste buds will be thanking you, as much as I am thanking the team at Côte Brasserie for being so incredible! We all honestly couldn’t praise them enough! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

February is one of those months where everyone focuses on spreading the love across to others. However, it should also be the month to love yourself. I struggle with this all the time. Every day can be a hardship when living with my mental health situations. However, it doesn’t mean that I can’t do things to try and ease these matters. 

In fact, it is important to love yourself, because you have to stick up for yourself constantly. You have to keep the love alive otherwise it will completely disappear. This is why I’ve decided to make February my feel good month. Every single day, I’m going to try and do something that makes my head feel less fuzzy. A clear mind to beat the hard times. 

Therefore, I have made it my mission to do the following as much as I can to help me remain calm, happy and a little bit more relaxed…

A Daily Walk: Popping in my headphones, putting on some good music or podcast and wrapping up in my cosy winter wear, I will be heading out for a daily walk, come rain or shine, to help clear my mind. Sometimes when I start a walk, I find that I can be really struggling, but after five minutes, the fresh crisp air on my face has soothed me a lot. 

Hair and Skin Care: Years ago, I gave up trying to look after myself. My anorexia has made my once thick hair really thin and my skin is the same. However, now I have managed to change my mental health to be more positivity, I do a daily skincare regime, add lotions and potions to my hair and have brought many products to smooth, pluck, prime and protect my body. When I’ve done just one thing to look after it, I feel so much better. 

Show Us Your Teeth: My teeth and jaw have taken on quite the battle the past few years. Since breaking my jaw, I haven’t seen a healthcare professional in regard to them. My dentist has completely let me down, even after they received my discharge papers from the hospital. So, this February I am taking matters into my own hands. I’m going to be going to a specialist hygienist to have them deep cleaned and restored. There is nothing wrong with my teeth, however, I want to keep them healthy as much I can. It’s time to be brave again and smile my way to better teeth. 

Daily Vitamin C: For years, I have been taking multivitamins, calcium and other medicines to protect myself, due to my health. However, I found myself hitting a slump about lunchtime. So, I decided to up my vitamin C intake. Now, I find myself a little bit more happier, refreshed and energetic than before. Perfect for when the winter blues hit! 

Drinking More Water: When I was in hospital they would ration our water. We weren’t allowed to just grab a drink, we had to wait until we were allowed. It would then only be a set amount. Now, my head is terrified to just go to the tap and get a drink. A fact that scares me so much. However, I’m going to try and make the amount of water I drink bigger. I’m not saying Stanley Cup amounts just yet, but enough to try and overcome this fear, as I want to hydrate my body well in the summer without worrying. 

Feel good February is officially in session with these steps lovelies! What are you doing to make yourself feel good this month?

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

To me, January is the month to eat up all the festive leftovers. An element that due to my condition I normally don’t get involved in. However, the start of 2024 changed all that. Having got a few bits to eat on the big day, there was a few bits left, so I enjoyed them all over again at different times. 

Five of these items, were ones I either received as gifts or brought especially. These five have made my must try list for you lovelies. They are…

Bonne Marman Peach Conserve, £2.60: With gorgeous chunky pieces of sweet peach, this jam is going to be lovely on a plain bagel. Taking me back to summers when I was younger, this conserve reminds me of the peaches my grandad used to grow. I was a little worried about it, due to my asthma becoming a little affected by peach skins, but I’ve found this isn’t to bad it seems. 

Tesco Crunchy Cookie Cereal, £1.60: Every Christmas morning, we wake up to a food stocking each in our house. The bits and bobs in them are to be enjoyed on the day or throughout the festive season and beyond. In my stocking this year, I was greeted by these beauties from my childhood. Although I don’t feel comfortable having them as just a bowl of cereal yet, I will be having them as a snack type biscuit instead. 

Paxo Chicken & Bacon Flavour Stuffing, £2.65: I had this for the first time on Christmas Day, stuffed into a halved piece of butternut squash. It was truly delicious! With a taste a bit like Frazzles or the bacon bits you used to be able to get for salads in Pizza Hut restaurants, it’s so different to the normal stuffing varieties. Better in some ways! 

Sainsbury’s Reduced Sugar Fine Cut Orange Marmalade, £1.05: I’m trying to be a bit more careful with sugar in 2024. Not because I’m going back into bad ED thoughts, but more so to protect my teeth. Still loving my marmalade coated crumpets, this reduced sugar kind is great for helping to cut down on the sweet stuff without losing out on the taste. Plus, there are no chunky bits of peel, which I am so grateful for. 

Hartley's 10 Cal Piña Colada Jelly, 85p: For a pudding on Christmas Day, I had a fruit salad topped with this jelly. With a lovely coconut and pineapple taste, it really does have a Piña Colada taste to it. Something that went down perfectly with the fresh melon and grapes also in the bowl. I normally have to be in the mood for a jelly, however, this has reignited my love for them. 

What have you all been eating this January lovelies? Have you tried any of the above? Let me know! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Love is all you need! The Beatles sang it and many people have wrote about it. In this month’s selection for my display at Hertford Library, I’ve delved deep into the theme. Not just to mark Valentine’s Day, but to remind us all about the love, bonds and people who makes us happy and whole. 

So, head to your closest library or bookshop, grab one of these and snuggle up this February with these page turners…

Normal People by Sally Rooney: Made into one of the most successful BBC TV series, this book will make you think about young love and the impact it has on you. From stolen kisses to erotic but real moments, you won’t want to put it down. 

The Secret Life of an Uncool Mum by Serena Terry: With hints of romance within this very funny book, the relationship in this book centres around one mother’s journey to discover herself again. All whilst building memorable moments with her husband and children. It will make you appreciate your mum a whole lot more. 

Between Us by Mhairi McFarlene: This Scottish author knows how to write a modern love story. Her novels will forever go down as contemporary classics. When a young couple split, they decide to remain friends. Until the female protagonist starts to see their relationship play out on TV through scripts her ex has written. Funny but also real too. 

The Flat Share by Beth O’Leary: Another modern classic, which has also been adapted for TV, this beautiful love story plays out through notes and messages left between the two protagonists. Upon deciding to live together, the two discover that whilst one is there during the day, the other is there at night. Hence the letters and notes. Yet, when they start to form feelings, they soon discover the people behind each one. 

One Good Thing by Alexandra Potter: When you think about love, do you think about all the relationships you have made around you? The ones with your neighbours,strangers or even work colleagues? Potter’s leading lady is faced with this, as she moves away to the Yorkshire Dales, after a heartbreaking divorce. After years of focusing on just one person, she soon finds herself making new relationships with the young and the old around her. One of the funniest but sweetest books you will read this year. 

Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed. by Chris and Rosie Ramsey: Two of the funniest people and couples around, these two will have you laughing with every single page of this book. No topic is refused, call in on listeners of their hit podcast of the same name, to give them topics to discuss. From how they first met to parenthood, they keep everything very real but ultimately fantastic. Listen to the podcast than binge this book too.  

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman: Our best friends make up some of the most important bonds we have in life. Often sharing the highs and the lows with us. So, how would you feel if you knew that your best friend may not be around for much longer? In a tragic but funny tale, Newman shares the love story between two friends who must come to terms with not being around for each other anymore. Get the tissues for this one lovelies!

The Last Train Home by Elle Cook: Ever wanted to know what happened to that stranger you saw on the way. Played out over each day, this book captures the bonds beginning to form between two commuters after they witness an event that changes their lives forever. Can they help each other? You’ll have to read the book to find out. 

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding: Is it even Valentine’s month if this book isn’t on the list? Whilst many of us will know the character from her time on screen, the book is a certified classic. Go back to its origins and find out why we all just love Bridget so much. 

The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes: A family relationship is showcased in this book, yet, there is the strongest of romantic ties too. When a single mother decides to go away with her children, she finds herself falling for the man who stumbles into their lives. Moyes always knows how to make us feel all the feels. 

Book of the Month: Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons: We all know the story of Romeo and his Juliet. However, what about the story of his first love Rosaline? Going back to a time before the famous play, this modern version of events is gripping from the get go. You will be left feeling like all the romance from one of the most historical texts of all time is completely wrong. Honestly, you will be rooting for Rosaline by the end of. Controversial I know! 

What romantic books are your favourites lovelies? Let me know and I could pick one for a future display! For now though, I hope you all enjoy reading my suggestions, which are now up on display at Hertford Library. You can also ask your library to help you find a copy to lovelies. It’s time to fall in love again! 

Joey X