The 4 Year Anniverary!

So yesterday came the day that me and Adam have been together for 4 years.. (which ironically comes straight after his birthday)!

We didn't really have anything planned so had a giant lie-in til 1pm! I then made some coffee and we decided what we were going to do with the rest of our day. We are quite a relaxed couple when it comes to romance, don't get me wrong - I love dressing up and heading to a fancy restaurant, boxes of chocolates and anniversary cards as much as the next girl but we just felt that today should be relaxed, with us just being Us.

We spent a couple of hours just snuggles on the sofa in our PJs watching classic comedies on GOLD and talking, then the hunger began.. so we headed to the best local place we could think of - Pizza Hut.

I changed into my gorgeous floral tea dress from River Island (i nabbed it on the first day of the sale for only £10!)  and gave it it's first proper outing! Along with my comfy New Look slip-ons and my cute polka panda bag and off we went.

Dress - River Island // Flats - New Look // Rings - River Island

Bracelet - Vintage // Bag - Boots

Now we both love pizza, Pepperoni for him / Chicken & Sweetcorn for me along with the cheesy bites crust, but something about Pizza Hut today was just unfortunately disappointing but atleast we were in a good mood so it didn't spoil the day - it's only food right? The service we received considering it wasn't even busy was pretty appalling. It took ages for someone to come ask us for our order, when asking where to get the refill drinks the waitress gave us a very sarcastic answer and when the plates were brought over, Adams still had traces of the last persons dinner on! Luckily they cut the service charge off the bill so we didn't have to pay it but still.. for almost £60 you'd think you were going to get better service and manners!

After that little experience, we packaged up the rest of our pizzas (which are mega filling!) and headed to Tesco Extra to pick up a dvd for the night - we chose The Internship as we never had a chance to see it at the cinema and we headed home.

We got home, back into our PJs and snuggled down to watch the dvd we'd brought and also another awesome (and now comedy classic in my book) The Animal and to have a relaxing night with the dog - the Perfect end to an (almost perfect) day.

Here's to another year.. and To The Next Step! (American Pie #love!)

Angie.x

The Stone Earth Pan by Ozeri review

A few months ago i was contacted by the fab homeware brand Ozeri and asked if i would like to try out one of their products! I jumped at the chance and as i absolutely Love cooking, i settled on the:
20cm (8 inch) Stone Earth Pan:

The packaging is neat and looks very professional, which i was very impressed by, as well as the fact the pan includes a Limited Lifetime Warranty!

The pan is a lovely grey in colour and the inside has a granite-look which actually matches our kitchen  worktops! It must have been meant to be..

The pan has 100% PFOA-free  stone-derived non-stick coating which is fabulous as it allows you to use less butter/oil for your cooking an therefore, allows you to make healthier choices.
It even includes a neon-green separator to stop your pan from getting scratched whilst stacked in the cupboard! Fantastic idea and a big thumbs up from me for this!

The main recipe I decided to use the pan for is the family classic - Eggy Bread!
It is quick and simple to make, a timeless breakfast dish and the tastiness all depends on the crunch of it from frying so I thought it was the perfect test of the pan's suitability for me.

Eggy bread Recipe: Serves 2
6 slices Warburtons toastie half-loaf
2 large eggs
Dash of milk
Salt & Pepper seasoning

Firstly, I prepared the pan as stated in the instructions; remove all tags & labels and clean with a soft cloth or sponge. Use a tiny amount of oil to create a thin layer on the surface of the pan and use a paper towel to wipe away excess oil.
I then testing out the pan's 'frying ability' with both butter and sunflower oil to see how each compared.

Butter:
Firstly I put it a medium sized dab of butter and allowed it to melt on a medium-high heat, it took around 30 seconds. Next I beat the eggs and added a dash of milk and seasoning into a shallow bowl big enough to enable me to dip the bread slices into. I coated each size of the bread gently by dipping it into the mixture using my fingers and then placed them into the frying pan (leaving it on the heat). It didn't begin to sizzle but I do find that butter does not always distribute evenly around the pan and has a gentler way of cooking (no spitting!). I flipped them after around 3 minutes as they had begun to brown and allowed around 3 minutes on the other side. I then proceeded to flip the bread back and forth every 10-15 seconds for around 1 minute.

Verdict:
When tasting these we found them not to be as crunchy as usually with a slight buttery taste. They were still quite soft and although cooked, not all the way through but still good enough to gobble down!

---------------------------------------------------

Sunflower Oil:
I put in a small teaspoon of oil and tipped the pan to distribute it evenly and left it to stand for around 30 seconds on a medium-high heat - I used the mixture from before. When placing the pieces of bread in the pan this time it began to lightly sizzle and it was such a lovely sound! These cooked more quickly than others and only took around 1.5 minutes, I still flipped the bread back and forth for around 1 minute, gently pressing it down with a spatula to get maximum crunch!
Verdict: These tasted absolutely divine! The perfect amount of brown and crunch with a slightly soft centre and very satisfying!

After cooking and experimenting I can conclude that this pan is brilliant for my needs and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it for dished such as Eggy bread, fried sausages and hash browns. In conclusion, it seems to be the perfect breakfast pan! I did try it out for omelettes and pancakes but found it a little heavy for the flipping and also better when using an oil base, so I personally would still to this pan for general frying and lightly cooked foods.
I Love the pan and it gets an outing from the cupboard atleast twice a week, the design is gorgeous and it looks so much more expensive than it is at only £24.99 on AmazonUK!
It also comes in other sizes; 26cm & 30cm versions.

• Durable Scratch-Resistant Stone-Derived Coating
• Comfortable Silicone Handle
• Completely Eco-Friendly
• Easy To Clean

The above are the claims on the front of the box and I conclude all of them to be true!

It is scratch resistant so far and I have used it around 10 times. The handle gives you good grip making the pan easy to lift and is very comfortable in your hands. The Eco-friendly bit is my favourite part and it definitely looks as if it is and the quality also contributes to this claim! It has been very easy to clean by simply rinsing it with warm water and wiping dry with a soft tea-towel of paper-towel. It is a fantastic product that I think should be a part of everyone's kitchen!

Thankyou so much to the people at Ozeri that allowed me to try out this product!

*this product was gifted to me through a company and no payment was received for this post. All opinions are my own

Finger Tip Refresh

Map/Floral Kimono - George at Asda

Ribbed Vest - Primark

Denim Cut-Offs - The Ragged Priest

Floral Legging Shorts - H&M

Converse Hi Tops - Foot Asylum

Rings: Snake Finger Top // Silver Pinky (sale)  - River Island

The Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes film review

I haven't actually seen any of the other Planet Of The Apes films but after seeing this one I can't wait to buy the boxset and get stuck into them all!
A usual cinema night for me, the mister and 'The Lads' (Shaun, Ben & Woody) on a Monday at Showcase Cinema, tucking into a yummy McDonald's before-hand and then heading to the local cinema for a film-fix.

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is a film i have been looking forward to since the announce of it's release and i'm so happy to say that i definitely wan't disappointed. It's a fabulously heart-warming story with action and drama thrown-in. It is really one of those films that makes you think about the future and although it is just a story, it is sort of scary that it may actually be achievable in some form one day.. Another reason for companies to stop using Animal Testing on products perhaps??

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO SEE THIS AND DON'T WANT A SPOILER THEN STOP READING NOW!

The storyline consists firstly of news reports from around the world, stating that a large number of Apes have broken free from a testing facility and a medical epidemic has broken out. A virus that was implanted into the Apes in the facility has been caught by a human and is spreading like wild-fire. A large amount of humans have lost their lifes to the virus and the remaining ones have gone into hiding, the Apes are last seen heading towards a forest following the destruction in the city.
The story follows on years later, centered around the humans that have survived in a secure area that is running out of power, they must venture into the forest to try and fix a large dam which will allow them to continue receiving electricity in the future. They stumble across the Apes and one of the humans shoots and wounds an Ape, this makes this Apes father rid all of his remaining trust in humans.
The rest of the film centres around the trust of these humans from the colony and the 'Leader' who still has faith that they could live in harmony without hurt but the Ape 'Kobu' does not trust them due to the way he was treated in the past. A full-scale war hangs in the balance of this trust and the drama that follows is simply magnificent, as is the acting and graphic/shooting quality.
I don't want to give the entire story away but I will say that it is well worth a watch even if you haven't seen any of the others! It has made me a firm fan of the franchise!
Get yourself down to your local cinema this summer!

Tyrrells Popcorn Anyone?? It's the most Awesome savoury popcorn Ever!

Angie.x

Sandwell Valley Country Park

Living in the city of Tipton, you wouldn't expect there to be much to do when the weather and you fancy going for a day out.. but in actual fact, there is quite a lot to keep you occupied!

One of our favourite places to go is Sandwell Valley, near the city-centre of West Bromwich. We usually opt for walking but there is a car park and also a bus stop very near the entrance.

Our first stop is always the duck pond! There is a small corner shop opposite the entrance where you can buy a loaf of bread ( I always opt for a Kingsmill white) and we head to see all the lovely duckies who flock towards the feeding platform to enjoy the food we bring. We were lucky enough to see some little ducklings last week too!

There is a large children's play park down a slope to the right of the main path and they have created one for smaller children/toddlers to the left so there is something for all ages.

They also now have a Go-Ape style adventure climbing attraction for children that is well worth taking a look at!

Next we opted for the Farm, Activity centre and Gardens but for this you will need to pay a small fee of £2 per adult. In the cafe inside, do the nicest cake I think I have Ever tasted and a bargain at £2.50 for a large slice and a coffee! The mister had a Bacon & Sausage sandwich & coffee and the total for both of us was only around £6.50. Absolutely bargain.

We saw so many lovely animals in the farmyard.. They had beautiful donkeys and baby piglets as well as chickens, ducks, rabbits and ponies. It looks so brilliant to take children to but as we're not entirely grown up yet we absolutely loved it.

We found a hedge-maze too which I don't think i've done one of since i was around 5 years old, so we had great fun making our way through that and as per, the mister decided to jump out and scare me.. Boo! Surrounding this are beautiful gardens filled with both flowers and plants. They actually grow a large number of salad, vegetables and fruit which they sell at the shop there so it looks excellent for fresh product and at great prices too - i'll definitely be keeping them in mind for the future. I was fascinated to find out they grew Bananas and Melons in heated greenhouses - i'm desperate to try one!

Back outside in the main park there was actually a school sports day going on for their last day of term but that is a rare occasion! There is a large patch of grass once you walk down the steps to the bottom section which is the perfect picnic spot and for taking footballs, a frisbee and other outdoor toys. There is a nature trail which leads out of the park and eventually to a little pond named 'Sot's Hole' and then again, eventually to a RSPB sanctuary but we decided to leave that for another day due to the 27 degree heat. It does look a  beautiful walk though and you pass fields with horses in which always come over to say 'Hello!'.

 

There are other activities for teenagers and adults too such as Mini Golf which is a favourite! 9 holes of fun for only £1.75 per person! It was nearly empty the day we chose to go so we spent around an hour 'perfecting our skills'. Next to that is a Tennis/Sports court where you can hire rackets/play tennis with your own gear and it can also be used for football. Lastly there is a Pitch 'N' Putt course which costs a respectable £4.50 per person (you can bring your own clubs if you wish) but if not it will cost £1 per person to hire them out plus a £5 deposit which you get back on return of the clubs. But still fab for the guys to have some 'man time'!

Overall it is just such a fabulous place to spend a day. There are acres of beautiful scenery and you don't even have to spend any money if you don't want to as it is free to get in. Just ensure you take a drink with you! There is always an ice cream van on site for your sweet fix too ladies! It is perfect for both couples and families of all ages with a wide variety of activities, lovely eating facilities and a friendly atmosphere.

Angie.x

Mario Party!

Leggings - Rowme on AmazonUK

Denim Jacket - New Look (sale)

White Pattern vest - River Island (sale)

Union Jack Converse - Foot Asylum

I don't know about you but I am definitely enjoying all the sun we're having! 26 degrees and counting today.. Layering in the sun-cream, lots of water and days out! It seems like the perfect summer!

The moment I saw these leggings I fell in love with them.. as a NES gamer and a childhood Mario lover i just had to have them! They are amazing quality, are cooling on the legs and a great fit too. Just throw on and go.

This top was actually the first thing i picked up in the River Island sale last week. I still can't believe it was only £3! Super-bargain! It states it is a size 6 but there is no way (i'm a usual size 10-12).. it's super comfy and loose and just amazing for all this burning hot weather.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend! Bye for now!

Angie.x

The British Tag!

At one time I didn't used to like doing that many tags, but I seem to have turned a corner and realised that they are a great monthly post!
I find it really interesting to see other people's answers as well as my own, as I think I seem to find out a little more about myself by doing them!

I first saw this tag circulating on YouTube and then yesterday I came across it on Tink Jayne's blog (one I definitely recommend that you go and check out!)

So here are my answers and I hope you enjoy!

How many cups of tea do you have a day and how many sugars?
I think this is one British tradition that I definitely fail at! I happily drink fruit tea but I really have to be in the mood for a cup of tea so maybe only have 2 a week.. But in any case I have 1 sugar!

What is your favourite part of your roast dinner?
Definitely has to be roast potatoes! But only my mums home-made roasties.. they are soft in the centre and have amazingly crispy edges with only a thin layer of crunch around them.. just Yum.

What is your favourite dunking biscuit?
Now this is tough! But I think ultimately it has to be chocolate digestives.. chocolatey goodness mixed with a lovely crunch! Perfection.

What is your favourite quintessentially British pastime?
I love visiting National Trust sights, seeing historic buildings and exploring the gardens and nature around me. I love British heritage so anything from old children's toys to seeing a squirrel running across a wide open space with giant oak trees makes me super happy!

What is your favourite word?
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. That is all.

Do you know any Cockney rhyming slang?
Funny you should ask.. my dad's a cockney born and bred so I do know a few.
Apples & Pears (Stairs).
Old China Plate (Mate).
Cup of Rosie Lea (Tea).
Dog and Bone (Phone).

What is your favourite sweet?
Pear Drops! My gran used to keep a jar and we were allowed one every Sunday after dinner.. they'd nearly break your teeth if you tried to crunch them too quickly but they were amazing!

What would your Pub be called?
The Country Dame. It would have a lovely beer garden with tables and branded umbrellas.. It would have a big tree with a swing hanging from it and people would get a complimentary Guinness Miniature on a Sunday afternoon.

  Who is your No.1 British person?
David Jason? Something about him just screams British all over and he is such a character! He was born in London and stole the Nation's hearts with his gentle nature and comedy warmth! What's not to love?

What is your favourite shop and restaurant?
I'm not sure if I have a favourite shop.. I love small vintage and charity shops though as I have a knack for finding a good bargain! My favourite restaurant has to be Frankie & Bennys (american i know) but can't beat a good gastro food pubs too, that serve Guinness and Steak & Ale pie!

What British song pops into your head?
Wannabe - Spice Girls!
Classic 90s cheese..It represented girl power and the simple love of life!

Marmite?
You either love it or you hate it.. I Hate it!

I Tag Everyone that wants to do this!
If you're British yourself or you just love Britain!
I'd love to see everyone else's answers!

I-Scream Summer!

I Scream Tee - Spoiled Brat

Pink Check Dress - Asda George

This is an outfit I actually wore a few weeks back but hadn't got around to posting. The pink tartan is actually a dress but I think it looks fab layered up with this blue tee. I grabbed this I Scream tee from Spoiled Brat in the sale and absolutely Love it! Excuse the lack of shoes in this outfit as I was relaxing in the garden and also please excuse my shoe-line tan! The very reason we still wear shoes in summer!

I hope everyone has an absolutely fab weekend!

It's my dad's birthday tomorrow so i'm spending the weekend at my parents, eating yummy food and enjoying a small village carnival!

I'll try to take pictures so I can share it with you all. Can't wait to be honest!

Angie.x

Don't You Forget About Me / Photo Diary 1

Romwe Leggings - Atticus Vest - Asda George Hat

The dragonfly we found at the local Nature reserve

SO MUCH HARIBO! <3 Cybercandy, Birmingham

Saturday Morning Breakfast/Brunch - In love with this Ice Tea!

Train Journeys!

McWedges and Twix McFlurry - Pip had an 'adult' Happy Meal in a box..

Stiggy sulking.. He's happier now :)

Just a little of what i've been up to the past week; Walking in the countryside, Visiting Birmingham with old school friends and being stuck in with a sulky dog named Stig..
Got to love July!
Angie.x