COOK: Apple and Rhubarb Pie

Ingredients:                                                                                                                   Serves 8-12
140g flour
a pinch of salt
55g of caster sugar
55g of butter
1 egg + extra for glazing
2 apples
3 sticks of rhubarb
jam

Guide

Start by sifting the flour and salt into a large bowl to make the pastry and then stir in the sugar. Rub in the butter using our hands until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs and the finally add the egg. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and then place it in the fridge for 30 minutes. It should somewhat look like my picture on the left. 

In the meantime while your dough is in the fridge start peeling your apple and rhubarb and then dicing them. This will be the filling for your pie. Preheat your oven to 220°C/ 425°F/ Gas Mark 7.

30 minutes later

Roll out the pastry. I used a pastry mat with flour on it so that my dough wouldn't stick. Prepare a tin with butter and flour so that the dough doesn't stick and then then placed the rolled out pastry into a medium or large tin.Remember to save some pastry for the strips on top

Once you have put your pastry in your tin, spread a generous layer of jam on top. This will compliment the fruit and make the pie more moist. 

You then want to pour your diced fruit on top of the jam as much as possible. Make sure to not fill the pie higher than the crust. You then want to cut the left over pastry into strip to place over the filling forming a lattice. I cut the pastry into 7 strips however you can do more or less depending on how big your tin is and how much pastry you left. To make the glazing you want to beat an egg and brush it over the pie and then sprinkle brown sugar on top for an extra crunch!

Finally, cover your pie with foil and put it in the oven for 25 minutes. When the 30 minutes are up, take the foil off and bake the pie for another 15-20 minutes until it is golden.

This is what my pie looked like. I managed 12 servings out of it and it lasted 3 days in the fridge! I received so many compliments from this pie so I just had to share my recipe with you! Enjoy!

Lots of Love
O xx

Goodbye Media Studies ♥

I cannot believe that my final year of A levels has passed so fast! Although I am so happy to be almost finished with all my A levels and exams, today was bittersweet. My last ever lesson of media studies came and went far too fast and I can honestly say that I will never forget my media lessons as they contain only fond memories of laughter and banter. (Alongside filming and working of course...) It is so so sad to have to say goodbye to my class especially my teacher who has been the sweetest teacher you could imagine! I will miss lunch time catch-ups, walking home and pancakes with my lovely Tasha who I will definitely be seeing during the summer as much as possible!! To anyone taking A-levels next year, I would 100% recommend taking media studies and it will forever remain my favourite school lesson ever!
Lots of love
O xx

Why you should date an older man.

It's no secret that I dated a 30 year old man at the age of 18. Some people were of course, quick to judge however being the stubborn girl I am that didn't stop me. Although I did end it after a few weeks, I don't regret dating an older man and here is a list of why you should try it!

Romance
He's older than you and therefore has a lot more experience of dating. He knows exactly where to take you out and will make you feel like a princess! He's dated a lot of women (unless he's a 40 year old virgin) so he will know how to please you. He will know what women like and what we don't like.

Games
Unlike the younger men or teens your age he won't play around to try and get you to date him. The 'who messaged who first' or 'hard to get' or 'asking her friends if she likes you' games will be off the table. Why? The older man isn't playing games; He knows what he wants and it's you. He will simply ask you to dinner and court you.

Womanizer
He's been through the hormonal phase (usually during uni) where he just wants to sleep around with anything that moves. Therefore, not only is he experienced but he's also bored of that and is less likely to sleep around with your hot room-mate! They will also thus be more likely to commit and want to settle.

Intellect 
He's been on the planet a lot longer than you so it's a given that he'll probably be more intelligent and cultured. He's most likely traveled and experienced different jobs so he'll be able to talk to you about a lot more things than the common conversation starters with younger men. He'll also teach you a thing or two about life as with age comes wisdom. This is great for when the 'honey moon phase' dies down as you'll find his intellect interesting and you won't get bored soon!

Security
Although this shouldn't be the most important thing when you start dating a guy it is important in the long term. An older man will have financial security. He will have a career, a house and a steady paycheck which will make a relationship with an older man more reliable and less stressful than dating a guy who's just finished uni and is head-over-heels in debt.

Love O
x

My Summer 2013 Wishlist

1) An at home laser hair removal machine.

2) Hair Dye. I want to darken my roots and base but add some hunny highlights.

3) A tan. Because who likes walking on the beach looking somewhat like the girl version of casper the ghost?

4) Make a fort. I've never made one and apparently it's a must.

5) Have a campfire. Who doesn't like toasted marshmallows on an open fire accompanied by a rather bad rendition of The kings of Leon 'Sex on Fire'?

6) Sew. Now that I'll have the time I want to make lots of summer floral dresses and accessories.

7) Tie Dye. I've bought blue dye so now I just need to buy lots of white shirts to tie dye and dip dye!

8) Skinny dip. Is this legal?

9) Go on a road trip.

10) Go to Brighton. Of course I've been there in the day but apparently the night life is amazing so I would love to check that out!!

My Favourite...

My Favourite... by oriannarosa 

Been a long time but I'm back in town.

Hello!
It's been a while since I've written a proper post, I know! I have been so busy lately; My exams start in a week and a half and although I should be revising I really can't bring myself to do it... I'm not sure why teachers think that it's possible for a student to do both the ton of homework set and revision without dropping down dead. My choices are simple: have a life and live for the now or revise every night (because by the time I've managed to finish all my homework due in the next day it's at least 10pm!) and be tired every day. In addition to exams, I'm also super stressed out with my 'ucas' university application stuff and student finance. I've never in my life encountered such a complicated website! 'Which uni to choose' is all that has been running through my brain this past week and now that I have finally chosen I feel so much more relaxed... I didn't go for the higher ranked university because it's in central London so my debt would have been huge but I'm sure I will still love the university I have chosen as it has an amazing campus, societies and is close to home.

Another reason why I've been super busy? I have a new boyfriend! When I say new we started dating a couple of months ago... But it became official when he collected me at the train station with a bouquet of flowers and an Easter egg to take me home from my trip to Paris and then took me to dinner. I wouldn't call him Mr Darcy... but I guess he's pretty damn close!

For the next few weeks I shan't be blogging as much as I used to but from June the 14th (my last exam) I will  do lots of extra blogging and go a bit mad to make up for the blogging lost!!

Hugs and kisses
Love O
x

BEAUTY: Superdrug Haul

So for those of you not from the UK, Superdrug is this amazing store where you can find pretty much anything from makeup and hair-dye to medicine and over the counter drugs. Lately I've been buying a lot more make-up just not because I've been wearing more but just because I feel that every year you should try and get rid of all your make-up still left over and buy all new make-up just to update your look and also to make sure you're not applying lipstick ridden with bacteria onto your lips!!

I am a sucker for lipstick so when I was clearing out my make-up the first thing I made sure to get was a new lipstick (or two). As I previously mentioned I am in love with Sleek so I bought one of their lipsticks along side an MUA (superdrug own brand) lipstick simply because it's cheap and cheerful!


I bought a very girly pink lipstick from MUA in shade 3 which I love. The colour is vibrant and flirty and feels smooth on the lips. I've been applying this colour lightly instead of a gloss for an everyday natural look but it does look nice applied generously too! The only problem I've encountered with this lipstick is that it doesn't last for very long. This problem can of course be solved by topping up during the course of the day but if you're busy I wouldn't recommend using this lipstick. I cant really complain though seeing as it only cost £1!!




The second lipstick I bought is in a deep purple (smoulder) and is perfect for a gothic, 'vamp' look! I thought this lipstick was excellent for a lipstain. I put a little on my fingers and then dabbed it onto my lips so that the colour isn't too garish or 'in-your-face'. This lipstick is good as a lipstain for the day or even for a night out when used boldly. I would use light eye-makeup to contrast with the heavy lip colour. As well as the colour I also love that the product is oil based so it feels lovely on the lips and thus keeps them from drying out or cracking during the day. The lipstick was also great for staying put; I could eat and drink without the lipstick smudging or going... Even kissing is possible! Think that's good? Wait until you hear the price; This lipstick costs a mere £5 which, for such a great product I think is a great run-for-your-money! I would most definitely recommend any woman to buy a sleek lipstick as it has become a staple item in my makeup bag and never leaves my handbag!

Love O
x


Check the sleek website out at: http://www.sleekmakeup.com/true-colour-lipstick-smoulder