Oscar fashion 2013

Pale and nude colours are the way forward, according to the trends seen at this year's Oscars. 

A lot of the pale dresses that I saw were a bit hit and miss for me personally, but the ones who got it right looked simply stunning.  Here's Jennifer Lawrence, looking amazing in this Dior gown. I love her even more for falling over and carrying on with a smile on her face.

Anne Hathaway also opted for a pink gown, this time (suprisingly) wearing a Prada creation.  Now, I'm not in love with this look I'm afraid, but the details on the back of the dress make me like it just a little bit more.

My personal favourite of the night, Jessica Chastain in an Armani Prive nude gown.  This look is very old Hollywood glamour, a look which she pulls off so well. 

Suprisingly, I also like this Alexis Mabille creation worn by the beautiful Zoe Saldana.  I would give that belt a miss, but apart from that this look is just gorgeous!

A special mention also goes to Kate Bosworth, wearing this Giambattista Valli short dress at the Vanity Fair party.  Her face is just perfection, I love this girl!

(pics via here)

What did you think of this year's gowns? 

xx

Recipe: Banana & Baileys bread and butter pud!

I have some bananas sitting in my fruit bowl that need to be eaten sharpish (before they turn to the dark side...literally).

So while I could use them up by making my usual banana bread (which I love) I want to challenge myself and create a new and exciting pudding.

I have found the perfect recipe.  Jamie Oliver, oh how I love you!

Banana and baileys bread and butter pudding

Ingredients

• 75 g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing, softened
• 7 to 8 slices good-quality white bread
• 100 g golden caster sugar , plus 1 heaped tablespoon for sprinkling
• 1 vanilla pod, halved lengthways and seeds scraped out
• 4 large free-range eggs
• 600 ml double cream
• 600 ml semi-skimmed milk
• 4 ripe bananas
• 75 g pecan nuts
• 100 ml Baileys
• Optional - 100 g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)

 

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350F/gas 4. Lightly butter the bread on one side, then cut each piece in half diagonally.
Whisk the sugar, vanilla seeds and eggs together in a large bowl until well combined, then pour in the cream and milk and continue whisking until smooth. Peel and roughly slice the bananas, then roughly bash up the pecans and chocolate (if using)

Rub the inside of a baking dish with a little butter, then layer up the bread (butter-side up), bananas, pecans and chocolate, if using, finishing with a final layer of bread (again butter-side up). Drizzle over the Baileys and custardy mixture, then leave to stand for around 20 minutes, or until the bread begins to soak up the liquid.

Bake in the hot oven for around 35 minutes, or until set around the edges but still wobbly in the middle.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly, then serve as is, or sprinkle over the caster sugar and blast with a blowtorch to caramelise the top. Delicious served with good-quality vanilla ice cream.

You can find this little gem of a recipe here.  I can't wait to give this a try!

xx 



Flippin' pancakes...

Monday has come around, once again.

However, I'm not feeling too bad about this fact as we have something fun planned tonight.  We are taking Lena to a puppy class!

Now, we took her to her first one last week where she spent the whole time hiding behind my legs.  So this time around, I really hope she'll be the cheeky Lena I know and love!

Here's a little recap via instagram of my last few days...

(instagram name: angie_peanuts_pearls)

- eating lots and lots of pancakes, these were our savoury ones

- Lena being Queen of the castle

- pretty flowers showing that Spring is on the way

- relaxing on a Sunday before a nice walk in the forest

Did you all have a nice weekend?

xx

Friday Fancies...red and pink

I am so glad that it's Friday!

I'm also loving this week's fashion theme over on Long Distance Loving's blog.  Red and pink worn together is such a feminine combination, and wearing these colours together can certainly brighten up a gloomy day.

pink delight for valentines by peanuts-pearls featuring leopard scarves

This is the type of casual outfit that I love to wear on a sunny day during Spring.

Talking of Spring, it feels like it's finally on the way after a gloomy winter, as the sun is shining brightly here in Cardiff today.  About time I say, about time...

I've also got a fun weekend planned of visiting family and friends, eating lots of good homecooked food and taking Lena for country walks. 

What are your weekend plans?

xx

Brand new books...

I just love going into a book shop and browsing through the variety of books on offer.  I could spend hours in there trying to choose a new one to read. 

In fact, that's what I did a few days ago and couldn't resist buying these two..

One of the reason why I refuse to buy a Kindle is because you just can't beat the smell and excitement of starting a brand new book! 

Is anyone else the same? 

Or are you fans of Kindle and am I missing out big style?

Also, here's a little catch up of the last few days, thanks to instagram...

(instagram name: angie_peanuts_pearls)

Lena likes to stare at me while I read...

I managed to tear myself away from reading to enjoy a brief moment of sunshine on the weekend...

How lucky am I to have gems like this where I live?

Did you have a nice weekend?  What are you reading right now?

xx

Inspiration: Allison Williams

Allison Williams, star of the brilliant TV show Girls, has been named the face of the skincare brand Simple.

I, for one can't wait to see these adverts - she has such a strikingly pretty face and will be a perfect ambassador for these products.

She's also fast becoming a style icon by her own right, standing out from the crowds in a beautiful black gown at the recent Golden Globes.

She's the kind of girl you want to be friends with...but maybe that's because her character Marnie is the girl next door type (and secretly my favourite character, although Shoshanna is a very close second)

She also shares a resemblance to the lovely Kate Middleton. So how could you not love her?

                                                       (all images via here)

Are you a fan of Girls?  Who's your favorite character?

P.s - I'm also guest posting over at Short and Sweet blog today...go over and have look!

xx

Currently loving...February

Reading...  Just started to read Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.  I'm only a few pages in so not much to say on this book so far, but I've heard such good things about it so I am very excited to get cracking.

Watching... we watched Looper this weekend.  Amazing!  Although, I tend to love any film where Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes an appearance.

Buying... blouses, blouses and more blouses.  Thanks to inspiration via Lauren Conrad.

                                                                                               via

Loving... vanilla chai tea.  Many thanks to the Pukka tea brand for introducing me to this delightful flavour.

Wanting... to get my official wedding pictures up on my blog.  I will get round to it this month!

What are you loving this month?

xx

Friday Fancies - skiing with style

I've only ever been on a skiing holiday once, and it was just the best time ever! 

I was 15 years old, and it was a school trip to Austria (and the first holiday away with my friends...so much fun). 

I would love to go again one day, but in the meantime I will carry on dreaming of my future holiday filled with hot chocolates, log cabins, fluffy socks and bobble hats. 

Oh, and lots and lots of skiing...of course.

Skiing with style by peanuts-pearls featuring thick socks

Head over to Long Distance Loving's blog for more skiing inspired outfits!

                                                                            xx