Fortnum and Mason's Supper Club

Having been invited to meet Tom Parker-Bowles at Fortnum and Mason's Supper Club, I went along and enjoyed the menu fresh from his new cookbook, 'Let's Eat Meat'.

So we started the evening with Bullshot Cocktails - I won't lie, they were STRONG to the extent that I couldn't have a mouthful without coughing (whoever made these put wayyyyy too much Lea and Perrins in!)

Then came the beautiful starter of buffalo wings with blue cheese sour cream, spiced venison tartare and sourdough bread - Tom is a notorious lover of chilli and spared none on these mouth-swellingly hot buffalo wings but the chilli was cooled by the creamy smoothness of the blue cheese sour cream. As for the tartare with egg yolk on top, when partnered with the sourdough bread made a delectable combination of flavours, textures and the richness of the venison really came through.

  

Next came the Peposo, a peppered, braised beef cheek with chianti and tomato, accompanied by horseradish mash and buttered sprout tops. Suffice to say that this dish was gone within minutes, and they even brought over second helpings! The beef had been marinated for 24 hours, so it practically fell apart in my mouth, along with the light yet flavoursome horseradish mash and the buttered sprouts (seasoned perfectly) I was in absolute meat heaven! It is also worth me mentioning here that Tom is a firm believer in supporting our local trade, and uses only British-bred meat and encourages others to do the same, along with using every single piece of meat possible so as to avoid waste - even the bones (which, when boiled, make fabulous soups!) 

Once the main had been taken away, and I had recovered from my food-induced pseudo-coma, dessert was laid; traditional British treacle tart with clotted cream. I have a sincere weakness for desserts and all things sweet, but even I had to eat this slowly as to avoid suffocating myself from the inside out due to food overload! 

Finally came the hot chocolate and truffles, which (shockingly) I demolished. Struggling to keep my eyes open, having been fed and wined (and even champagned!) to the limit, it was time to thank the host and retreat to the realms of pyjamas and bed!

What an absolutely sensational evening, the food was elegant, traditional, well-executed and truly special; I heard not one complaint and it seemed all the talk was focused around the chef, the menu and of course, our host Tom Parker-Bowles.

Obvs got to have a selfie with Tom Parker-Bowles!

Photo with Fortnum's executive chef, Sydney Aldridge

#OOTD Christmas Sparkle

So I had a Christmas do to attend and wanted to look fabulous but not OTT so I raided my wardrobe and decided it was definitely time for a new outfit... It is the festive season after all, time for giving (to myself!) so I did a bit of shopping.

I wanted something comfortable that didn't restrict my stomach (as we were attending a three-course meal, so I wanted room for my inevitable food baby) and I decided on a pair of sparkly, black and silver harem pants (elasticated waists should be on every item of clothing...).

Then to fit with this year's tomboy look, I went for a loose fitting, off the shoulder top from New Look in bright orange with an oriental pastel blue sequin print. This is the first orange top I have ever bought, usually I look horrible and blotchy in reds and fiery oranges but the pastel blue toned it down, and as I paired it with a blue statement necklace and matching pastel clutch (courtesy of Hemsley London), it still looked wonderfully vibrant but not too in-your-face.

Finally I finished off the look with a pair of Kim-Kardashianesque black stiletto sandals and my silver Michael Kors Chronograph watch that picked up the silver from my harem pants and the sequins from the top.

Everyone seemed to love this look, and the general consensus for my trousers were that not only did they look fabulous, but apparently also made me look slim - so a win-win on my part!

See below for the photos, and let me know about your Christmas outfits - go on and treat yourself to a new Christmas outfit, you deserve it!

Tweet your looks to @ellcakes and I will feature you on my blog!

Harem pants - Next (just £26!), Top - New Look, Necklace - River Island, Clutch - Hemsley London (part of the Hemsley Slice Lunchbox Range), Shoes - Forever 21 (NY store), Watch - Michael Kors  

The Hemsley Lunchbox - perfect as a fashion statement lunch box and as a clutch bag!

Michael Kors Chronograph - pearlescent face and Swarovski crystal numerics 

#DOINGAMILEY

So having been frequenting London Fashion Week for the past few days, I definitely got caught up in the fashion vibe and decided to radicalise my look... and chop off all my hair. All seventeen inches of it (yes, the hairdresser measured it!)

So it went from this:

To this...

To this...

And finally to this...

Necklace - River Island, Kimono - Primark, Chiffon vest - H&M

It was a huge shock, and although I miss being able to swish about my long locks, or pile it in a top knot when it is irritatingly heavy and thick, I must say I adore my shoulder-length chop.

Apart from making me look older (I was definitely mistaken for being a fifteen year old two weeks ago at a wedding) it feels so much more flirty and playful, but maintains the volume and layering I love.

Thank you so much to the Toni & Guy team in the Blow-Out Bar at LFW... Without you I would still be dithering on whether to have half an inch, or a whole inch taken off! You did a fabulous job, and although I had quite a few sips of vino for confidence, I am delighted that I listened to your scissor-happy advice.