Why Autumn is the best season?

It’s an objective fact (not just my opinion) that Autumn is the best season of all. Its only a matter weeks until the clocks ‘fall back’, which means we enter into longer evenings, seasonal movie marathons, the start of the Christmas festivities and the burning of even more cosy candles that release all kinds of Autumnal scents. Is there anything better than that seriously?

Now, snuggle up with a blanket and venture into why Autumn is the best season with me…

• Cinnamon spiced EVERYTHING. Coffee, baked-goods, candles. Enough said!
• Cosy Knitwear. A jumper put together with a pair of jeans and boots; Autumn is definitely the easiest season to dress for. No fuss and you always look great.
• Bubble Baths. I know that you can have a bath anytime of the year, but when it’s cold outside, why not relax in tub filled with bubbles and coloured bath bombs. Autumn is where bubble baths are at.
• Blanket Scarves. Because why not be all snuggled in a huge scarf when it’s cold outside.
• Boots. Boots. And more boots. Because you can’t have an autumnal outfit without boots; knee high, ankle, heeled, black, brown or grey – boots are the must-have in Autumn and you can never have enough pairs.
• The colour palette. Is there anything better than deep burgundy’s, mustard yellows, burnt oranges and forest greens? No I didn’t think so - it’s the ultimate colour combo in fashion, beauty, in everything Autumnal.
• Bundling up with layers. Layering up is the way to go in Autumn - all warm and cosy during your walk to work.
• Candles. I burn candles all year round but there is something about Autumn and Winter scents that are just incredible.
• An Instagrammer’s paradise. Because everyone’s Instagram feeds are full of takeaway coffees, golden autumnal colours, beautiful scenery and pumpkin/cinnamon baked goods.
• Conkers. From the age of six, seeing conkers just meant that it was officially the season of Autumn.
• Fresh Autumnal morning. Those crisp autumnal morning where you can see your breathe and the early morning sun is just amazing.
• Wellies. Where there are country walks, there are wellies. I may be twenty-three but I still enjoy jumping in puddles.
• The start of the festivities. You can buy anything for yourself and claim it is ‘an early Christmas present’. Ultimate justification. Also, Christmas homeware is just to die for – you can never have too many decorations.
• Snuggling up with a blanket. I think that there is nothing better than snuggling under a blanket, whilst it is raining, windy and cold outside. Instant cosy feeling.
• The season of reading. I’m all for curling up on the sofa or in bed with a good book.
• An ‘easy’ excuse for staying in. Because when you leave work at 5:30pm and it’s dark, this excuse counts 100%.
• Crunchy leaves falling from the trees. Strolling through crunchy leaves instantly makes me feel like a kid again!
• Homemade Soups. Hot homemade soup on a rainy, cold day – is there actually anything better?
• Seasonal movie marathons. Staying in your pj’s and watching back-to-back films, just because ‘It’s Autumn’.
• Apples. Apples. Apples. I don’t know what it is but apples are just the best this time of year; you can make pies or crumbles with them, dip them in caramel sauce or just have them plain. When I think Autumn, I think apple crumble and custard. Yumm.
• Fireworks and Sparklers. There is nothing better than waving around sparkling sticks of light trying to write your name and standing in a field with a crowd of people saying ‘woo’ and ‘ahh’ as we watch brightly coloured sparks explode in the night sky. Get your wooly hats and blanket scarves at the ready.
• Country Walks. Going for an Autumnal walk is just perfect. Crispy leaves, changing colours. Beautiful.
• Lush’s Autumn and Winter collection. Sparkly bubble bars for all – it’s the best time of the year seriously! 
• Coffee. Hot Chocolate. All the hot beverages. Caramel mochas, Pumpkin spiced lattes, White hot chocolate melts, Toffee nut lattes and plenty more; I mean it is really Autumn if there aren’t 101 different coffee flavours for you to enjoy on a daily basis? Nope, I didn’t think so either.

Autumn is officially the season of the year! What’s not to love?

When things don't go your way

We all have those days and weeks where it feels like the walls of the world are collapsing in on you - actually I think that they might just be called Mondays. However sometimes, when these days happen, it is difficult to imagine that those things are going to turn around. But being my usual optimistic self, they will turn round eventually, it's just knowing how to deal with it. 

When thing aren’t going your way, it is obviously much easier to crack open a bottle of wine, watch Bridget Jones in your loungewear and drown your sorrows sit and just dwell on it, but that isn’t the right way forward really, is it? So how can you turn it around?

Take a breath

When things get tough, take a step back and just pause for a moment. Sometimes when you dwell on something for too long, it just becomes even more complicated and you just get even more worked up. Sometimes just stepping back, making yourself a cup of tea or going out for some fresh-air can make a lot of difference.

Start with the problem

What is the problem? Identifying what’s wrong is the first thing to do in order to be able to work out what you need to do next and how best to resolve it. 

Find your approach

When you’ve identified the problem, ask yourself ‘what am I trying to achieve?’ Take a moment to think about how you can reach the end, avoiding all the issues that you’ve addressed before.

Talk it out

Talking it out can certainly help – it certainly helps me anyway – as another person can really help to provide you with advice, solutions and motivation to move forward. 

Find something to look forward to

If things are going bad, find something to look forward to. It could be a smallest thing, like having your favourite meal for dinner or something that you’re doing at the weekend. It is important to power through and pin it on something to motivate you.

Positivity

A positive attitude goes a long way. Don’t let stress take you down. Keep your chin up. 

Ask for help

Asking for help isn't seen as weak; in fact it is one of the biggest mistakes that you’re making by not asking for help. 

Learn

Don’t waste this opportunity to take note and learn from it.

How do you take approach to a bad day?

Gooey Rolo Cookie Blondie’s

It’s that time of year again. No I’m not talking about Christmas (it’s too early for that yet). I’m talking about Great British Bake Off season. Arguably, you could say that it is a massive marketing ploy that just encourages consumers to spend more money on cute, shabby chic bake ware inspired by the super-cool Bake Off kitchens.  But how is one supposed to resist cute and themed bakeware to assist them in baking ‘tasty treats’. And of course, I tell myself ‘I need these matching spatula and cake tins’.

Still, when you do give in and purchase said matching baking sets, whatever can you use it for? Well, how about these super gooey, super tasty, just overall amazing Rolo Cookie Blondie’s? What a great idea!

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 25 – 30 Minutes | Makes: 16 Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 275g Plain Flour

• 1 tbsp. Cornflour

• 115g Unsalted Butter

• 55g Granulated Sugar

• 135g Light Brown Sugar

• 1 Egg

•  ½ tsp. Vanilla Extract

• Rolos (I used one bag)

• 100g White Chocolate Chips

• Pink and White Marshmallows (optional)

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 190C. Grease and line a square Brownie tin with greaseproof paper ready for when the mixture is ready
2. Measure out 275g of Plain Flour and 1 tbsp. of Cornflour and mix together in a bowl and leave to one side
3. In a large pan, melt 115g of butter over a medium heat. Whilst the butter is melting, measure out 135g Light Brown Sugar and 55g Granulated Sugar. Once the butter has melted, pour the butter in with the sugars, and whisk for about 2 minutes until the sugar starts to dissolve and the mixture is smooth.
4. Once the mixture is smooth, add in one egg and ½ tsp. of Vanilla Extract, and whisk again briefly till smooth.
5. Once smooth, add in the flour, the Rolos, and the 100g of White Chocolate Chips and mix with a spatula till thick cookie dough is formed.
6. Press the mixture into the tin, so the mixture is level. This is the optional bit, you could just put it into the oven as it is or you can take some white and pink marshmallows and place them in 4 rows of 4 on top of the mixture.
7. Once you have added your marshmallows (optional), place the tin into the oven for 25 – 30 minutes until the top of the cookie bake looks ‘dry’ or all the marshmallows have melted and crisp on top.
8. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. If you have added marshmallows on top, you will need to wait until the marshmallows have got sticky.
9. Once cooled, cut the bake into square and serve with a cup of tea or coffee (Also goes well with Vanilla Ice Cream)! 

You will not be disappointed. These are a naughty treat but something you won’t regret. Enjoy!