10 Best Bits of 2014

Bonjour! Hello! It's me- I'm back! I understand if you no longer know who I am, it's been a long time. I have no excuses, other than life happened as it so often does. But while I sat here chipping away at another essay (yes, being back at university has hit harrrrd), I thought to myself: I really should do a blog post and not leave it to just be another new year's resolution (that I may or may not keep) because I miss it too much for that. There is understandably a recurring theme in the blogosphere at the moment, the '10 [insert appropriate somethings here] of 2014'. I have decided to jump on the bandwagon and instead of doing a generic catch-up post, thought I'd combine it with a few memories of an incredible year.

1. New Year in Paris

Kicking off 2014 in style with my bestest friend in the world, Sophie, in the best city in the world (I can't vouch for that admittedly, but Paris will always hold a special place in my heart). Even if it was a bit of a flop celebration-wise, we had a great time and it set the bar for the rest of the year. 

2. Mum and I in Paris

The most important lady in my life came to stay with me in Paris in March and I got to show her my new life. We had so much fun together and are even planning round two. Bring it on.

3. June in Paris

I spent my last weeks in Paris having an absolute ball, and my friend came to stay for my last weekend there. Sitting in my favourite cocktail bar, aptly named 'La Favorite', I felt that I was where I belonged and in that moment could see myself living permanently in Paris. Reality burst my bubble of course, but who knows what the future holds?

4. Summer in France

An amazing opportunity with a lovely family and a little girl who I really do miss. I got to see a part of France I never would have seen, and of course got to lounge in the sun too.

5. Lessons on Toffee

Photo of Your Horse Magazine 2014

Over summer I found a new instructor and have never looked back. In just a few lessons, she has made such a huge difference to my attitude and understanding of riding that I know I will make such great progress with her. To top off a great few jumping lessons, Toffee and I also made a name for ourselves in the monthly horse magazine Your Horse. I got to tell my story in their special confidence-centred issue and help other riders in similar situations. I even got a double page spread!

6. My 21st Birthday weekend

Turning 21 in styyyyle. Yes, I now feel old at uni, and yes, I probably need to start making life plans. But for now, I am enjoying my half-birthday as a 21-year-old who is generally having such a great time.

7. Venice

Even if I could have dreamt of the most perfect getaway for my 21st birthday, it wouldn't have topped the trip mum and I took to Venice in September. It was so so memorable and was the most amazing present my family could have given me.

8. Running 5k

Bearing in mind I only took up running properly last October as a huffing and puffing, could barely run 100 metres novice who really likes food, this has to be a huge landmark in my achievements this year. I ran my first 5k with the running club at uni in November in just over 25 minutes! I was aiming for around 30-35 minutes, so you can probably imagine how elated I was when I saw my result. I think I can class myself as a proper runner now!

9. Back with the Equestrian Club

Being back as Vice President of the Equestrian Club is a dreeeaaam. It's nice to still be a member of the committee without the pressure of Presidency and we have some great new members this year. The rosettes above were two of three I got on our Christmas fun day and our socials so far have been huge successes- it's great to be back with like minded horsey people and to see the club growing so much!

10. Christmas with my grandparents

For the first time since I can remember, my Nana and Grandad spent Christmas with us! My Grandad is 90 years old in May and my Nana is 82 and we thought it was high time we all spent the holiday season together. They live up north so transport has always been the problem but mum and I shared the drive so they could spend five days over Christmas with us, and it really was so special to have them there.

Thank you to everyone who has made this year so incredible... 

Here's to 2015!! Happy New Year!

Working in the South of France

If someone had said to me a year ago that I would be working in the South of France for a couple of weeks, I probably wouldn't have believed them. Even less so if they'd have said I'd be by a pool in 35 degree heat in my free time. But that's what happened- I've just come back from another fantastic trip, making the most of the time I have to travel as much as possible.

I've never really thought of myself as someone who could look after children that well so never saw myself as an au pair until the opportunity arose. I already knew the little 8 year old girl I would be looking after since I tutored her in English whilst I was in Paris and my job was to join the family on their yearly holiday to the French Provence to further improve her English and give her mum a much needed break!

The weeks flew by while I was there but I got to do some fantastic things. I visited the town of Roussillon, built from ochre clay found in the surrounding quarries which gave the most incredible red, orange and yellowy tinge to the area. I also went wine tasting to the well-known Baumes de Venise vineyard and tasted the most delicious wines. I got to wander around the little backstreets of nearby villages and visited the local market to sample saucisson, olives and fromage (lots and lots of it!). And when I wasn't working or exploring, I was lying in the sun by one of the two pools. I think it's safe to say I had a wonderful time!

Below are a few snaps from my time there, aided by Instagram because apparently I'm just not a natural photographer!

The view just outside where I stayed

I bought a new hat at the market!

Wine tasting at Baumes de Venise

I loved having early morning swims!

The ochre clay at Roussillon

Breakfast by the pool!

Birthday celebrations!

I've had a crazy past couple of weeks, but it's definitely not something to complain about! It's been a whirlwind of birthday fun and holidays/work with a lot of riding thrown in too!

My celebrations started on Sunday, the day before my birthday and my family took me to a very nice restaurant for lunch where I had a quinoa, roasted aubergine salad followed by a chocolate tart for dessert. The food was delicious and, although it was obvious to us that we were out celebrating, the staff obviously twigged too so when I got my dessert, I got a super cute surprise birthday message!

With my brother having our meal out

I spent my actual birthday out on a birthday ride and then had a lovely afternoon tea in the gorgeous sunshine. I drank lots of wine/champagne, ate (too much) good food, galloped across fields and opened some fantastic presents. One of which was this beautiful thing on which I am currently typing- a Macbook Air. It happened. I took the plunge (after so much deliberation that mum ended up just dragging me into the Apple Store) and I have to say I do not have a single regret. I've officially become an Apple whore, but it's awesome. I also got some lovely pieces of jewellery, and the most exciting thing- VENICE! I'm counting down the days until my biggest 21st birthday present in the form of a 4 day break with mum to this beautiful city.

Birthday lunch, 'scuse the ambulance- nobody was harmed!

I also celebrated with my gorgeous girls (minus one- we missed you!) over the weekend and we had the most wonderful weekend country retreat. We started off with afternoon tea and a BBQ on the Friday, and headed into Cambridge on the Saturday to go punting. We booked a private tour with Let's Go Punting (who were fantastic- full of banter and interesting facts and made for a great trip, find their website here). We took along a bottle of champagne and made some chocolate-covered strawberries in the morning to have a classy little picnic on board. This was followed by some shopping, and lunch at Harriet's tea rooms, which as always, lived up to expectations. Then we returned to mine to have a cocktail night with more champagne. It all made for a fabulous weekend. I had such a wonderful time.

Punting with champagne!

Giving it a shake!

As for the birthday cake, I decided to have cupcakes made in a cute vintage style which were so so yummy and absolutely perfect! There rates were very reasonable considering the quality of the cakes and they were perfectly decorated so if you're thinking of having some cakes made, seek her out! They were made by a lady in the Cambridgeshire area, and you can find her website here: http://www.thesweetkitchen.co.uk/

My lovely cupcakes, plus an extra 12 mini cupcakes too!

A day after my friends left, I was getting ready to jet off again to the South of France for my job as an Au Pair for two weeks! So I really haven't had that much room to breath but it's been a fab few weeks and now I have to whole of summer to make more memories before Venice, and then going back to university at the end of September!

This is becoming a yearly tradition...

It's the 29th June again which means tomorrow is my birthday. Not just any birthday- the big 21. 

I read over my blog post from this time last year, covering my achievements of that year. It's fair to say that I've come so far since then. I don't think I could have predicted how my year in Paris was going to turn out but when people told me it would be the best year of my life so far, I didn't believe them for a long time. Now I realise how true that is. Here's what I did this year: I went completely and utterly alone to live and work in Paris; I built a life for myself out there from nothing. 

I look over my diary entries from those first couple of days which were filled with nerves, fear and uncertainty and I am so proud of myself because I've just come such a long, long way. I'm still me, I'm still Rachel but I'm a better version of myself, and that version thrived in Paris. I am already starting to find that I'm slipping all too easily back into my old, easy life. Paris was so far out of my comfort zone when I moved there and I dreaded everything that I had to do because of that. But by the end of the year, being out of my comfort zone was exciting. That's a feeling I don't want to lose, but being back home makes it easy to slip back into a comfortable lifestyle again. I love home but I need to keep challenging myself, and I do believe that the older I become, and over the next years, I will welcome those challenges and know with confidence that I can face them.

Having left Paris now, I know it will always hold a place in my heart, and will always be a part of my life. Never did I think I would be able to love a city so much since I am a real country girl. But I'm going to have to find the perfect balance of both because I can already see myself booking a weekend away back to Paris before the year is up.

Being abroad gave me a confidence which I never thought I'd find and has made me feel like a young woman ready to take on the world. That is something I'll never lose. So when I look back at my life in 10, 20 or even 50 years time, I'll remember that when I was 20, I had the most incredible year living in Paris which helped me develop into the person I want to be.

I took advantage of every opportunity thrown my way this year and have loved every minute of it. I've said yes when all I wanted to do was say no, and I've jumped when I've wanted to stop. That's a fantastic feeling and that's how I know I've made the most of this year.

I am so lucky to have had such an incredible year, and even luckier to have my lovely home and family waiting for me when I returned. So here's to another wonderful year... I'm going to make sure it's a good'un.

Light Chocolate Cake

Thought I’d do the second cake as a separate post to enable easier searches. Making my brother’s cake may have contributed to the highest stress levels I have ever experienced when baking. I was so nervous about the outcome. He’s fussy; as in likes-chocolate-cake-but-only-one-type-of-chocolate-cake fussy. This one type of chocolate cake seemed utterly impossible to recreate. It’s from our local bakery but is the richest, most sickly chocolate fudge cake ever and after numerous searches on-line for something similar, I had to compile my own ideas into a new recipe. But do you know what his verdict was? HE PREFERRED IT! I don’t think I’ve ever heard words so golden! 

The sponge itself was perfectly chocolately, and definitely not in a sickly way which was perfect for everyone else who wanted a slice and didn't want to feel queasy. But no matter how hard I tried, I could not find the kind of fudgey, gooey icing I was searching for without the use of cream (which he was quite adament he didn't want- difficult customer). This turned out to be a good thing because it stopped the cake from being too sickly. So, if you're looking for cake that's moist and chocolately, but still light enough to eat a whole slice, here's the recipe: 
(find the original here, thanks Mary Berry! Here video tutorial is especially useful)

Ingredients-

2 oz (50g) cocoa
6 tablespoons boiling water
3 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
175g self raising flour
1 rounded teaspoon baking powder
100g baking spread, I used Stork
250g caster sugar
50g dark chocolate, melted
30g milk chocolate, melted

(For the icing and filling)
Batch of buttercream (enough to fill, and cover an 8" cake)
1 tbsp cocoa powder
30g milk chocolate, melted
30g dark chocolate, melted

Method-

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/160 fan/Gas 4 and prepare two 20cm (8") cake tins.
2. Measure the cocoa and boiling water into a large bowl. Mix together until it reaches a smooth paste-like consistancy.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and beat again until combined. After melting your two chocolates, either over a pan of simmering water (without the bottom of the bowl touching the water!) or with intermittent bursts in the microwave, leave to cool slightly. When the chocolate has cooled, stir it through the mixture until combined.
4. Divide the cake mixture between the two tins. Put in the oven for about 30 minutes until well risen and you see it pulling away from the sides of the tin. Leave to cool.
5. After making your batch of buttercream, melt the dark and milk chocolate separately and leave both to cool slightly. Add cocoa powder to buttercream and stir through. Then add the two chocolates and beat until all combined. Spread over the first sponge, put together and then ice the top. Enjoy! 

Let them eat cake

Easter weekend was pretty inconveniently timed this year and was over my mum’s and my brother’s birthday so not only were we busy present-buying and celebrating but it meant that my desire to back an Easter cake this year was met by two family members who were also hungry for their own birthday cakes too. But instead of going overboard and doing three cakes over one weekend, I settled for two and my mum’s doubled up as the Easter cake too. So first up the Lemon Drizzle, minus the loaf tin, plus some buttercream. Find the original recipe here, and my altered recipe below…

Ingredients-

Zest of 1 lemon, plus half the lemon for juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

225g baking margarine (I used Stork)

225g caster sugar

4 free range eggs, beaten

225g self raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp milk

Bag of mini eggs, or other decoration of your fancy

(For the lemon buttercream, to sandwich)

Batch of plain vanilla buttercream- enough to fill one cake

Half of the lemon for juice (plus extra if you feel it necessary)

(For the lemon syrup, quantities for covering just one half- obviously double up if you want to do both)

2 tbsp demerara sugar

Juice of one lemon

Method-

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/Gas 4 and prepare two 20cm sandwich cake tins and line the bases with baking paper.   
2. Put the lemon zest, vanilla, baking margarine and sugar into a large bowl and beat until pale and fluffy.
3. Gradually add the beaten eggs with a little of the flour, mix and then repeat until all the egg is gone. Fold in the rest of the flour and the baking powder, make sure not to overbeat! Finally add the milk and then spoon equally into the two tins.
4. Bake for 25 minutes. This is approximate because I waited until it had risen and was coming away from the sides of the tin. I also turned up the oven an extra 10 degrees towards the end for a few minutes to produce the gorgeous golden-brown colour on top. 

5. While the cake is still warm, poke holes in the cake with cocktail sticks. Mix together the demerara sugar and lemon juice until the sugar looks as though it's beginning to disssolve. Pour over the cake (one or both, depending on what you fancy- I did both and it gave it a wonderful texture), aiming it around the holes so that it sinks in.

6. Leave to cool and remove them from the tins. When completely cool, peel off the baking paper from the bottom.

5. Make your batch of buttercream (sorry for not putting something more detailed here- I don't think I have ever measured quantities of buttercream, I just add and taste until it's tasty and I have the right amount!) and mix in the lemon juice. I went for quite a weak taste here because of the already lemony sponge and syrup. When the cakes are cool, spread the buttercream onto one of the cakes, placing the other one on top when you've finished. Use any leftover to blob on the top with a piping bag and top with your decorations of choice.

Holiday updates

I love being at home, but sometimes it can be too wonderful because I never want to leave. Mum and I had lots of little plans and we ticked off things we've wanted to do for ages, including having a little shopping trip (of course). We managed to coincide this with a theatre trip to see Wicked with the local 'Welcome Club', the leisure club in our area for the older generation. It was so much fun!! We had a lovely lunch in John Lewis, consisting of a mediterranean-style tartine and a delicious banana and caramel cupcake (a recipe I will certainly be attempting soon!).

Afterwards, I decided to invest my money in some decent products for my skin. For ages I have been complaining about my problem skin, having tried everything to try and improve it. Everything apart from a decent skincare routine, I might add. I know, bad girl. I've bought products in the past and haven't kept up the routine, or have just used them when I feel I need them (which isn't as often as they should be used). Before I returned from France, I started to look in the mirror and see an ill person staring back- I just didn't look healthy. My skin was dry, blemished, and as far from radiant as possible. I had bags under my eyes and looked bad enough that people constantly asked me, "Are you okay? Are you tired?"

Hence the efforts to look after myself. So I went for a skin consultation with the lovely ladies at the Clinique stand in John Lewis who recommended their anti-blemish skincare routine. I purchased the soap bar as my cleanser and also the moisturiser (steps 1 and 3), with the intention of using my current toner and potentially replacing it with the Clinique one in future (step 2). I have been using the products for about 3 weeks, and was told to wait at least a month to start seeing more permanent results. But the first week I was using these saw my skin clear up instantly, it was incredible! It has worsened slightly now, but I expected that, and even then it isn't as bad as in the past. I'll update in the near future to give a proper review of the results.


Meanwhile, I've become a green tea addict and have started to actually like eating vegetables. Shock, horror. I love cakes, and chocolate, and crisps and I generally have a huge appetite so everytime I sit down for a meal, I eat more than your average girl. I never thought eating healthily would be for me, but I tried it and I love it. I think it is something to do with the fact that you know what you're putting in your body is good for you. That makes me a happy girl. Plus, I still treat myself which stops the overwhelming temptation to buy everything in a French bakery when I walk past. Success.

Coffee cake

Being one of my Dad's favourites, I have wanted to try a coffee cake for a long time and I found a perfect (and pretty straight-forward) recipe from the wonderful Mary Berry that drew me into the kitchen. 

I have to say it was successful, despite my doubts. Below is the recipe I followed, plus the link to the original page. I did alter the coffee-flavouring for the buttercream a bit, and I decided not to bother with the four separate layers but it tasted great anyway. The mixture did look seriously runny to me at first, but I decided to put my trust in Mary Berry, and of course it paid off. I was left with a beautifully moist, but suitably airy, perfectly coffee-flavoured coffee cake.

Original recipe here. (even includes a handy aga-cooking guide)

Ingredients-

225g (8oz) very soft butter, plus more for the tins
225g (8oz) caster sugar
225g (8oz) self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 large eggs

4 level tsp instant coffee, dissolved in 1 tbsp boiling water

(For the buttercream, if you are doing four layers)

175g (6oz) soft butter
350g (12oz) icing sugar
3 level tsp instant coffee, dissolved in 1 tbsp boiling water

Method-

1. Preheat oven to 180C (160C for fan) and prepare two 20cm (8in) sandwich tins.

2. Place all of the cake ingredients into a bowl, apart from the coffee, and mix until smooth in texture. Add the coffee and stir in until all blended (it will look a bit too runny, but that turned out to be fine!)

3. Divide the mixture between the two tins and bake for 25-30 mins (according to the original recipe but mine were in for about 35, when an inserted skewer came out clean and the sponge bounced back from the touch).

4. Leave the sponges to cool and make the buttercream. Combine butter and sugar until smooth and then stir in the coffee mixture.

5. Spread in between layers, and on the top if you wish. I dusted with icing sugar because I didn't make enough buttercream to cover the top as well, I'll be making more in future!

6. Eat it and enjoy! Nom, nom.

Mud, glorious mud

Whoever said mud was glorious clearly hasn't been in the UK for the last few months, and most certainly does not own horses. But we finally seem to be coming to the end of the wettest period on record, and the ground is finally drying out.

Since being back home, it has been a complete nightmare outside. The first few days I was back, we were caught in the storms which battered Britain and flooded the garden and the fields. Although we were a thousand times luckier than others who were hit by the wind and rain, it was scary waiting to see the damage in the morning (which, thankfully, was minimal) and so frustrating hearing the rain fall, and knowing that there was no where for it to go. So the ground got wetter, the mud got muddier and we all got a little bit sadder.

Having a pony of my own means that the first thing I want to do when I return home is ride, and when I came back from France that was the last thing I was able to do. I couldn't properly work him because the ground was just too wet, and I couldn't go out because all of the bridle paths had turned into mud-skating rinks. Plus, doing anything else- like leading the horses in and out of the stables, or even just moving a wheelbarrow- was ten times more difficult. It could have been worse for us, but that doesn't lesson the frustration so I'm sure I'm not alone when I say BRING ON SPRING!

I hope everyone out there wasn't hit too badly, and if you were then I really hope the weather is kind enough to help you get back on track over the next few weeks. For now, let's just be glad that the rain has taken a break and the sun is trying to make an appearance! xoxo

My country boots have proved surprisingly mud and water proof!

12 Years A Slave

12 Year A Slave (film poster:Lionsgate)

Having finally seen the film, and after the success of 12 Years A Slave at the BAFTAs the other night, I thought I'd write a little post about this spectacular film. If you're thinking about seeing this film, I'll make the decision for you: go and see it. If you're not interested in seeing it: go and see it... Because you should.

I'm not going to pretend this is a film for everyone, because it's not enjoyable in the traditional sense of the term. If you're having a bad day, you should probably wait until your mood is a bit better, and then allow this film to bring you back down again. Depressing, right? Yeah. Worse still: it's based on a true story.

But the feedback you see on the poster, five stars among words like "unforgettable" and "breathtaking" could not be more true. Ten minutes in, and the tone is pretty much set for the whole film, but you will not regret staying until the very end.

The word "harrowing" came to mind when I left the cinema. An absolute emotional rollercoaster, this film was emotionally exhausting, and at the same time utterly compelling. 

Films like this are so important because they bring to life the realities of our past. I was disgusted at times, and so ashamed that the persecution and torture depicted in this film actually happened, and was justified; it lays bare the cruelty of which human beings are capable. 

This film wouldn't have been the same without Chiwetel Ejiofor, whose spectacular performance allows you to live each moment alongside Solomon Northup. There were some beautiful scenes where the simplicity made for truly emotional viewing.

Any awards that this film, its director/producers, and/or its actors wins are 100% deserved. I haven't seen such a thought-provoking, emotionally charged and captivating film for a long time, and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the more compelling. You really shouldn't miss this.