Scones Glorious Scones

If you LOVE scones then you are guaranteed to fall madly and deeply in love with these scrumptious ones! The good thing about them is that they are SO easy to make. However the bad thing about them is that they are SO easy to eat...before you know it you’ve already consumed way over your daily food intake! So be warned dieters - they ARE dangerous.

What you will need:

600g Self Raising Flour

2 tablespoons Icing sugar

60g Butter

375ml Milk

180ml Water

Variations:

1. Blackberries & 1 Lemon 

2. Raspberries & Desiccated Coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°c

2. Sift flour and icing sugar into a bowl then rub in the butter.

  3. You can now add in your flavours (e.g blackberries and lemon rind) or wait until the end if you’d prefer. I wanted to make two different flavoured scones so I felt it was easier to make the dough, divide it up, then add the flavours.

 4. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture...

5. Pour in all of your milk and half of your water...

  6. Gradually add the remaining water and use a knife to ‘cut’ through the mixture.

 7. Add in your desired fruits and flavours (if you didn’t already at stage 3) and mix well. I used a whole packet of blackberries and the rind of one lemon.

8. Knead your dough on a floured surface until smooth and then to achieve neat looking scones divide the mixture up evenly and place in a 12-hole muffin tray.

9.  Bake for around 15 minutes (after 10 minutes of baking brush some beaten egg yolk over your scones if desired). 

10. Tuck in my girl...

A BURST of blackberries...

Scones glorious scones...

I certainly wasn't holding back and I got stuck right in...

Unfortunately there wasn't any clotted cream floating around in my fridge I therefore opted for butter topped with Strawberry Jam...

I don't mind that the blackberries sunk to the bottom however to prevent this from happening you can toss your blackberries in flour before adding!

Last time I made scones they were blueberry flavoured ones and I invited my best friend round for 'afternoon tea'. I highly recommend doing this as we had a delightful day. Present your scones on a cupcake stand, fill your favourite tea pot up, purchase a selection of jams/clotted cream and you are ready to GO! Whether it be for breakfast, lunch, or supper; I guarantee you and your best friend will NOT want the scones, the tea, or the day to come to an end. 

A very cosy and comforting scone feast... 

A blueberry scone, with a generous amount of clotted cream, finished with a layer of blackberry jam...my idea of heaven!

Along with the blackberry and lemon scones that I made today, I also baked some raspberry and coconut ones...

Which washed down very nicely with some raspberry jam...

Anyway I think I need a little post scone nap so I'm going to love you and leave you! Please bake some of these when you get a chance, even if you don't like scones (you strange person) then you MUST bake them for somebody you know that does! 

Lots of scone loving, 

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Trago Lounge

Do you ever find yourself wondering why on earth does Starbucks not open until midnight?  I definitely DO!

On these ARTIC nights I find myself just needing cosy coffee places to be open after work hours. I’m not asking for too much am I? Well apparently so! When you live in Southampton you should NOT be asking for such thing! Unlike London, Southampton apparently does need sleep. However I was determined to not let this get in the way of myself and a late night pot of tea.

You will be pleased to know my best friend and I found a lovely tranquil cafe/bar in Portswood last night - Trago Lounge. The sofas were SO inviting and extremely snug! From the minute I sunk into the sofa I knew this place was going to become a regular. I was so content - the only thing I was missing was my snuggie (perhaps I’ll bring this next time). Having said that, wouldn’t it be fantastic if you were offered a blanket upon arrival? A hot water bottle and some slippers wouldn’t go a miss either! Anyway, enough side tracking, my best friend (Steph) and I had a FAB evening. You see, Steph has been superglued to her desk the past few months, damn her Masters degree for kidnapping her from me! So, with a few exams down we decided a massive catch up combined with calories was long over due.

It's Instagram O'clock...



Now can you understand why I felt so snuggled?

My dietician advised me to start introducing fish back into my diet, so what a perfect way to start it off...

Fish finger sarnie 



She also advised me to NOT eat chips, apparently the skins are hard for me to digest BUT I must have somehow 'accidentally' forgot about this! I promise from this day forward no more CHIPS!
No more chips Kirsty. I repeat NO more chips.

Steph had the pulled pork panini which I think was delish as she actually stopped shouting talking (this rarely happens by the way). 




You can check the menu out HERE. As you can see it isn't fine dining, it's all about the comfort eating. I'm going to be honest with you we even ate ours from our laps and the great thing is nobody judged. It really is like your Nan's cosy lounge (well only if you manage to bag yourself a sofa). 

Now comes the pot of tea...

 

oh and obviously we NEEDED puddings...

I indulged in the warm chocolate brownie with ice cream, thankfully chocolate is still on my 'allowed' list! Phewwwwww!

Whilst Steph opted for the sticky toffee pudding...



Feeling all warm inside from our 'T & Puds' we chatted away until realising the place was now practically empty - it was sadly time for us to depart. After all, we've got to remember we don't live in the city that never sleeps!

If like us, you LOVE cosy late night cuppas then check out their website HERE. If you pay them a visit I really do hope you manage to get your paws on a sofa - I advise you to wait at the bar until you do! 

So what did I wear?
I've been meaning to pop to Grandads to collect his tripod as I really want to start including outfit photos in my posts. I can then start using my SLR, however until then I leave you with a shabby Iphone pic... 




I'm really NOT a fan of 'selfies' but fingers crossed one day I will get more confidence. 

So, I wore my new TOPSHOP treggings...

Flock grid ponte treggings - £28.
Click HERE for more info.

I paired the treggings with my little black Radley boots, my sister's black bomber jacket with contrasting panels, my Topshop cross ring and my Michael Kors watch.

Present time...

With more exams and a HEFTY dissertation still to complete I felt like this was the perfect little gift for Steph...

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE. 

Anyway, I had a great evening as you can see and I definitely will be returning. Hhhhmmm I wonder if they allow reservations for the sofas? I'm not too sure I could settle for a normal chair after this relaxing experience!

Have a great day, 

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Scrumptious Sketch

Towards the end of last year I had the opportunity to experience Sketch for the very first time. To say I had an incredible time is definitely an understatement! From the interior design, to the cakes, to the crockery and I’ll even go as far as the toilets; everything fascinated me. Sketch is a destination for the most luxurious food BUT also music and art. At Sketch you are guaranteed an experience like no other!  

Welcome to Sketch...

When shopping you NEED fuel in order to make the right choices right? 

(I am unable to think straight when I’m in need of food.)

Well, the location of Sketch is perfect - just seconds away from Oxford Circus. So, if you’re losing the will to live after failing to find that ‘perfect dress’ OR perhaps your arms are numb from all those shopping bags (lucky you) then it's definitely time for a scrumptious little break! 

Sit down, relax, and just take a minute to appreciate the beautiful interior...

I found myself just staring at everything and capturing TOO many photos (click click click) that I hardly had a chance to look at the menu.

mmmmmmmm quick what shall I have?

SCONES it was, and boy OH boy were they GOOD!

There are no words to describe how delicious the scones were, I think from my photos you can see that Sketch made me a very happy Lady!

Believe it or not, I was kind enough to give a scone to Mother -  She was lucky because I was given THREE scones! Had it have been one or two Mother definitely wouldn't have come close to MY scones! 

I Knew I was onto a winner of a T when it looked this pretty...

  

My brother indulged in the above chocolate cake, he even saved me a slither - what a cutie! It was INSANE - enough said!

My Sister had the eclair type pudding which you can see a glimpse of in the background. I also had a few slithers of this - my taste buds were going WILD! I felt like I was on a CAKE sampling day! I do apologise I don't remember the specific names of their puddings, you've probably guessed I was too wrapped up in my own little scone world! 

Drinking TOO much T it was toilet time but like I said before Sketch guarantees an experience like no other...

Each toilet was in its individual egg shape cubicle. It was surreal and I strangely felt like Willy Wonka was going to appear (not entirely sure why).

After admiring the pretty ceiling for far too long, we made our way back to the Parlour; which by the way was the room we were seated in. Sketch has five rooms:

The Gallery

 The Lecture Room

 The Glade

 The East Bar

The Parlour

I had a glimpse of the other rooms but I need to re visit so I can experience them in full!

Appreciating the quirkiness of Sketch on our walk back...

Anyway, I think it is clear to you all that I LOVED my afternoon at Sketch. If I have tempted you to visit then perhaps you might want to check out the menus HERE.

Now I will leave you to drool over some colourful macaroons... 

Thank you Sketch, I shall be back soon!

Lots of love, 

(All of the above images are my own.)

Charming little Wimborne

Nothing beats catching up with friends over a pot of tea!

Today I went somewhere different, somewhere picturesque and somewhere very peaceful. This ‘somewhere’ goes by the name of Wimborne. Such a charming little market town and if you haven’t been then I insist you pop it on your ‘places to visit’ list for 2013!

I picked Alice up and we hit the road and made our way to Kate’s house in Wimborne. 

We arrived safely and Kate kindly greeted Alice with some belated birthday cakes and presents…

Nattering away with cake and T we lost track of time so we quickly put on our boots and headed to the town square. Kate was our tour guide lady and I must admit she did a very good job. She promised to show us all of the wonderful places in Wimborne…

From sweet shops…

To chocolate shops…

 To vintage furniture shops…

To Churches… 

(The Parish and Minster Church of St.Cuthburga)

To rivers...

To tea rooms...

and to places that I just couldn't help but admire...

Do you think Kate did a good job? I DO!

With all the walking around we decided it was time to fix those hunger groans and stop for a spot of lunch. We went to Long Crichel Bakery Tea Rooms and I would highly recommend! 

Lunch is served...

Kate and Alice had the above which looked VERY appetising! I opted for a cheese scone with butter - this was possibly the best cheese scone I have ever eaten! To accompany our lunch Alice and I had a pot of tea; whilst Kate needed a stronger caffeine fix therefore ordered herself an Americano. 

Everyone needs sweet after savoury right? So we went on a CAKE hunt...

The muffin man (me) found herself a tasty chocolate muffin - Waitrose certainly do provide when it comes to sugary treats and with their pretty pink packaging I just couldn't say no! 

After all - cake is for life NOT just for Christmas...

We finished our day with a beautiful stroll in the park...

The sun was shining which meant there were happy faces all around...

Unfortunately we had to head home and couldn't stay for dinner...however on our next Wimborne visit (which hopefully will be soon) we know where we will be heading for dinner!

Number 9

Thank you Kate for a pleasant day in Wimborne, we will be back soon as we have LOTS of tea rooms to test out!

K.L

x 

All images taken on my Iphone