Christmas Wishlist 2015

1. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit: This absolutely babe of a palette went straight to the top of my Wishlist the moment I saw it. The limited edition palette includes a mix of finishing powders, highlighters, blushers and bronzers. An Hourglass virgin, I can't give my opinion on the pigment or quality of the products, but I have read only good reviews and it seems like the perfect palette for me to try them out.
2. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock: I have been a lover of the By Terry Ombre Blackstars for many years. These eyeshadow sticks have the most gorgeous texture that glides onto the lids and blends beautifully. The lasting power is great and the colour range is beautiful. Misty Rock is a stunning purple-taupe with lilac shimmers that really pop in the light and I have been dreaming about adding it to my collection for months.
3. Apple TV: I'm an self-confessed Apple whore and I've been thinking about getting an Apple TV for quite some time, but could never quite justify it. However the other month I was over in my friend's house and was playing around with it and decided that I most definitely do need it.
4. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Deluxe Candle: I received the mini candle last Christmas and fell in love. I burned through it quite quickly so am hoping that someone will get me the bigger size for Christmas this year.
5. Alex and Ani Feather Charm Bracelet: I have about eight of these beautiful bracelets by now, in both silver and gold, and love how they look when worn stacked together or on their own. I've been eyeing up this feather bangle for a while now and would love to see it in my stocking. 
6. New Look Black Grid Check Scarf: Nothing beats a giant scarf to keep you cosy in the winter months, and this one is just beautiful. 
7. Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in The Dolce Vite: I've watched LilyPebbles and ViviannaDoesMakeup rave about this palette for ages and now that Charlotte Tilbury is finally available in Ireland,  this went straight onto my wishlist!
8. Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone: Illustrated Edition: Hi, my name is Jennifer and I have a Harry Potter obsession. I own all the original books that I got the day they came out and read in hours and I also received a beautiful box set of the books with limited edition covers for Christmas a few years back, so I really don't need another copy of the books. But, the new illustrated edition is simply stunning. You can never have to many copies of Harry Potter, right?
9. Chloé Eau de Parfum: I had this perfume years ago and then moved onto something new, but I picked up the rollerball in Sephora over the summer (Side note: Why can't we get rollerballs in Ireland? It's so annoying!) and have been obsessed with the scent ever since. I've been trying not to use the rollerball too much as I don't want to waste it, so am hoping Santa might surprise me with the full size this Christmas.
10. Michael Kors Bedford Crossbody Bag Small: I've been on the hunt for a small black bag for a while now, and this one is exactly what I've been looking for. Big enough to fit the essentials, but will stop me trying to bring my whole makeup collection and the kitchen sink out with me. My back will be very grateful.
11. Charlotte Tilbury Mini Lipstick Charms: The last item on my wishlisht are these beautiful lipstick charms from Charlotte Tilbury. I've been dying to try out some of Charlotte Tilbury's lipsticks after only hearing great things, so what better way than with three minis. And how cute would these look hanging on the Christmas tree?

My Top Five: November

It's the end of another month, which means it's time for me to round up everything I've been loving over the past month and narrow them down to my top five favourites.

1. The Late Late Toy Show is an Irish institution. It's the one night go the year that children from around the country get to stay up past their bedtimes. And even as a twenty five year old, it is still one of my favourite nights of the year. I've applied for tickets every year and hope that one day I'll get to hear those magic words: "There's one for everybody in the audience!"
2. At the start of the month, I shared my current nail polish favourite: Essie Bahama Mama, and three weeks later nothing has changed. I'm still as in love as ever. I can see this one staying with me over the party season, perhaps with an added glitter top coat to add a festive touch!
3. Donal Skehan is one of my favourite chefs and I am an proud owner of all of his cookbooks. I preordered his latest addition, 'Fresh', months ago and it finally arrived through my letterbox this month. Instantly I was hooked. This time around, he has a real focus on healthy eating and using wholesome ingredients, but with delicious outcomes. My favourites so far are the Super Power Chilli and Coconut Macaroons. Both simple to make and extremely tasty. 
4. I added these New Look Ankle Boots to my basket on a whim, but they may be my best purchase of the month. I've worn them at least four days out of seven for the past month and they've been keeping my toes warm and dry in this miserable rainy weather. Plus they're super cute and match everything, which makes the morning struggle a little bit easier.
5. Adele is back. And back with a bang. When Hello was released, everyone lost the plot - myself included. I've been playing it on repeat and look exactly like that picture above when I'm singing in my car, minus the perfect winged liner. And if an amazing song wasn't enough, she's been killing it in interviews and her BBC special just proved what a legend she really is. Adele, I bow down to you!! 

Sunday Brunch: San Lorenzo's

San Lorenzo's, a small restaurant on Dublin's George's Street, is infamous for its #BrunchofChampions. I had been dying to try it out and finally got amy chance today. Having researched the menu before I went, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. However, once I got there and saw all of the food coming out of the kitchen I couldn't make up my mind. Everything just looked so damn good!! I sipped a Pavarotti (elderflower and Prosecco) cocktail while I was rereading the menu, which was delicious and refreshing. All that was missing was some fresh berries, but I won't hold it against them!

In the end, I went with the Pan-Fried Pulled Ham Hock Potato Cakes which were served with 2 poached eggs, home fries and a mustard sauce. These were unbelievably sublime. The potato cakes fell apart and melted in your mouth and the eggs were cooked to perfection. However, it was the mustard sauce that won it for me. It was simply beautiful and really tied the whole dish together. 

For dessert, we decided to share the dish that put San Lorenzo's on the map: the Coco Pops Crunchy French Toast with salt caramelised bananas, peanut butter, mascarpone whipped cream and Belgian chocolate sauce. Although incredibly rich, the balance between the sweet and salty, the hot and cold, the soft and crunchy, kept you coming back for more and we cleared the plates in minutes. 

I would highly recommend San Lorenzo's for brunch, and will definitely be back to try out their evening menu. But make sure you book in advance as the place was packed to the rafters - and deservedly so! 

Salted Caramel Candle

Visiting Canada in the summer, there were two shops that I knew I had to hit: Sephora and Bath and Body Works. The only problem was, how much could I fit in my suitcase? I had to limit myself to two candles in Bath and Body Works as they were pretty heavy, so I spent quite a bit of time making sure I picked just the right ones. In the end, I decided on one for Autumn/Winter and one for Spring/Summer with the idea that I would use them sparingly.

I've been burning this amazing 3-Wick Salted Caramel Candle since September and it's been lasting me well. The scent is warming and deliciously sweet, but definitely not sickly. It fills a room in seconds and lasts for hours. I'm nearing the end now, so I'm trying to get into the habit of blowing it out after a short while. The scent lingers for the entire evening and makes the room feel so cosy which is exactly what is needed on these cold and blustery days.

Essie Bahama Mama

There's only one colour that I've been reaching for this Autumn, and that's the stunning Bahama Mama by my favourite nail polish brand, Essie. This rich deep plum has a beautiful glossy finish and is perfect for the Autumn months. And its mix of red and purples means it matches every outfit.

I started with Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Hardener as a base coat. My nails are quite flaky and since I've started using this as a base coat, they've become so much stronger and I get days extra out of a manicure. I then applied two thin coats of Bahama Mama, but you could easily get away with one coat if you were in a rush, before applying the one and only Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. 

I generally get 3-4 days before chips start appearing and I get compliments on the colour every time I wear it. I can definitely see this shade transitioning over to the Winter months and it would be gorgeous for the festive party season!

Chocolate and Almond Biscotti

One of my favourite things to do on a Sunday evening, actually anytime at all but especially on a Sunday, is bake! So this evening I whipped out one of my favourite baking books, picked a page at random, and set to work. I was a bit skeptical before I started because I haven't had the best success with biscuits, but I was absolutely thrilled with how these turned out. They were perfectly crisp, incredibly moreish and would be perfect for dipping into a coffee.

To make these yourself, heat your oven to 180ºC and roast 100g whole blanched almonds in the oven for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown. Leave them to cool for a bit, then chop each nut in half and set aside. Gently melt 100g unsalted butter in the microwave and leave to cool slightly. Put 3 medium eggs in a large mixing bowl and whisk until frothy. Add 200g caster sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and whisk until very thick. Pour the melted butter into the bowl and whisk until combined. Sift in 325g plain flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp cocoa powder and a pinch of salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until well combined. Stir in the chopped nuts and 110g dark chocolate, roughly chopped. Split the mixture in half and place each half on a lined baking tray. Using your hands, mould the dough into a log shape. Place in the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until barely firm when gently pressed in the centre. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. When cooled, reheat the oven to 180ºC. Using a serrated bread knife, gently slice the log into 1cm slices and place them on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes until firm and dry. Remove from the oven and leave for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. When the biscotti has cooled completely, melt 150g dark chocolate. Dip one end of each biscotti into the chocolate and then place on a sheet of baking paper to set.