festive Archives - Megan Taylor

Hush Christmas Picks

Every summer for 6 years I have lived in a dress my auntie bought me from Hush. It’s safe to say I have been a fan of Hush for a very long time. Something that my mum and I adore about Hush is that their clothes always come smelling incredible…mum is an aromatherapist and both of us can’t help but smell everything, which is why this is an important point to me haha. Each order comes with Hush’s latest newsletter which is like a gorgeous broad sheet style magazine which I find ever so inspiring.

Hush’s current Christmas collection is gorgeous and as always all of their fabrics are lovely and soft to touch. In fact the grey jersey top you can spy in my header image is aptly called their ‘Slub T’, perfectly named. I am a huge sucker for star prints so my favourite items are their star print PJ’s, dresses and jumpers (the star print PJ shorts are in my header image-look at that gorgeous print). My absolute favourite find from their Christmas party shop, which I am really excited to share with you, is their silk cami body. I am not sure if I am getting old and miserable but I think I have always hated cold air around my belly area. This gorgeous silk body, masquerading as strap top is definitely the answer to my woes. It will also transfer from season to season as a staple in your wardrobe. In the winter you can layer it up with cute cardigans and jackets, whereas in the summer you could simply add a high waisted skirt…keep an eye on my Instagram feed where I am sure to add fashion looks involving this top.

Get Ready With Me

I filmed a ‘Christmas Get Ready With Me’ where I show you how to do an relaxed Christmas party make up look along with what I wore to a Christmas party, featuring some gorgeous products from Hush.

Christmas Sugar Biscuits

Today was my last day of work for 2016.
To celebrate I decided to make some quick and easy Christmas sugar biscuits.
After only 10 minutes of cooking you can gather your friends and family together to decorate your biscuits.

Ingredients
100g butter
100g golden caster sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1tsp ground cinnamon
275g plain flour
Decorations of your choice

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190°
2. Cream the butter and sugar
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract
4. Gradually mix in the flour
5. Roll out your dough to 1cm and use cookie cutters to make your festive cookie shapes
6. Cook for 8-10minutes
7. Leave to cool before decorating

Let me know if you make them…
Instagram and Twitter: @itsmegantaylor

WHERE TO EAT, DRINK AND STAY IN HAMBURG

Last weekend a group of us went to Hamburg to get in the festive spirit.
I have always wanted to go somewhere like Germany to experience the Christmas markets and Hamburg definitely lived up to my expectations.

Where we stayed: Radisson Blu, Hamburg
Where we ate dinner: Hans Im Glueck
Where we ate brunch: Alex Pavillion
Where we ran: Alster Lake

The weather was appropriately cold and I dutifully wore five layers of clothes.
As a vegetarian I really struggled to find food I liked yet I guess this was to be expected in Germany.
The sweet treats were however scrumptious.

Top Christmas Markets In Hamburg:
1. Winterwald
This was my favourite market as there were far less tourists.
Hidden in the back streets you really felt as if you had stumbled across a hidden gem.
We sat and drunk Glug spiked with Rum in the Christmas tree garden.
The only problem was that we didn’t find this market until half an hour before we had to leave for the airport.

2. City Hall Market
This is the biggest and most popular Christmas market in Hamburg, sitting outside the Town Hall.
I would strongly advise only going to this market in the daytime and during the week not at the weekend.
We went on Friday afternoon and it was lovely and quiet but on the Saturday evening you could barely move.
There is a Christmas decoration shop at the far end of the market which is well worth queuing to go in.
The shop is filled with millions of decorations and twinkly lights. Decoration range from €1 to €100s.
Top Tip: Make sure you see Father Christmas fly over the market everyday at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm.

What I wore:{Roll Neck Body: Topshop}
Everyone needs the black funnel neck body from Topshop.
It was a great base layer to keep me warm and stop and chilly breeze sneaking up my top.
It makes any outfit look a little more sophisticated.

{Scarf: Zara (similar) . Coat: Zara (similar) . Jeans: Topshop .
Boots: Vagabond . Gloves: Marks and Spencer}

{Roll neck Jumper: Zara (similar)}
I bought this roll neck knit jumper from Zara a few years ago. It is huge and incredibly warm.

{Hauptkirche St. Petri, Hamburg}
I love going to churches in foreign countries and lighting a candle for lost loved ones.
This church had an incredible candle display where you melted an area to stick your candle to.

{Neuer Wall, Hamburg}
A street lined with very expensive shops and decorated impeccably.
{Hat: Zara}

My hubby wore:
{Shirt: Gap . Jumper: French Connection (similar)}

Top 10 Christmas Movies

Last week I released my Top 10 Christmas Books but this week I thought I should share with you my Top 10 Christmas Movies.
I have a whole shelf full of Christmas movies. Choosing just 10 was a tricky mission.
As I write this I wish I had included Arthur Christmas and even my Friends Christmas Boxset (not technically a movie but a great dvd to own).
What is your favourite Christmas movie?

1. The Polar Express
If you ever have a chance to see Polar Express at the IMAX then please go.
I love this film and quite like to have it playing in the background at nighttime.

2. White Christmas
Probably the oldest Christmas film I own.
Definitely one to watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
A great singalong.

3. The Snowman
I have fond memories of watching this movie when I was very very young.
I used to have a Snowman water bottle cover and hug it until it was threadbare.
Fabulous movie and so cheap to own.

4. Nativity!
Nativity! was so successful that the made a few more.
This movie is English comedy at its best but
I really wish they stuck to this one off as the following were a little less great.
A great laugh out loud family movie.

5. Elf
My absolute favourite film EVER.
Funny even after the 100th viewing.
If you don’t own a copy, get it now!

6. The Holiday
The only Christmas DVD Liam will allow me to watch when it isn’t Christmas.
Every actor has been cast perfectly.
Heartwarming and perfectly depicts the festive season in the UK and USA.

7. Home Alone (Boxset)
Home Alone 1 and 2 are Christmas movie classics.
2 and 3…not so much but I couldn’t resist owning the full boxset.

8. Santa Clause (Boxset)
I adore the Santa Clause movies.
Number 1 is the best but the follow ups are actually quite good because they kept the original cast.

9. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
This movie makes me wish I could experience Christmas in New York with my family one day.
I would love to own the house at the end of the movie…one day.
Richard Attenborough is perfect Father Christmas.

10. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Exactly the same story as the newer version.
I can’t decide which version I prefer but Attenborough is probably the best Father Christmas.
Love Actually, Arthur Christmas

Sugar Free Sweet Popcorn Recipe

Every week I have three and a half days where I eat very well and this includes being sugar free. My way of sugar free is vaguely strict. I do not eat any refined sugar, added sugar, any food that has a sugar listed in its ingredients. I do not include natural sugars such as honey, agave or fruits in these ‘sugars to avoid’ list.
Even though I am being healthy I still have a need for that afternoon sugar hit like anyone else. My Quinoa Goddess Balls are a fab sweet hit. Here is another recipe I love which is very low in calories and has a low Glycemic Index therefore making you feel full for longer.

This recipe will fill your house with a festive scent of cinnamon and you will have a huge bowl of sticky and chewy popcorn. Best of all at only 205 calories, you can eat a very large bowl guilt free…although you may not be able to finish it because it is so filling.
(Measurements and calories are approximated for serving two people)

What you will need

80g Popcorn maize (278cal)
2tsp Ground cinnamon (12cal)
2 tbsp Date syrup (128cal) or Honey (120cal) or Agave syrup (120cal)

Method

1. Pop some kernels the traditional way in a pan with a little oil.

2. Set your grill to low.

3. Lay out your popped corn on some grease proof paper on a baking tray.

4. Drizzle honey / agave syrup or date syrup over the popcorn.

5. Now your popcorn is sticky, sprinkle ground cinnamon over the popcorn.

6. Place in the grill for about 5 minutes, continuously checking that they are not burning.

My 5 Autumn Loves

When I was younger I didn’t much care for autumn. I found it depressing that the summer was over. This was mostly because it meant the end of the school holidays. As an adult I have discovered all the excitement of autumn and must admit I now find it one of my favourite times of the year.

Below I have listed my 5 autumn loves, explaining why this time of the year is so wonderful.

1. Candlelight and fires
I adore those evenings when it is super chilly outside but you have nowhere to be. I love sitting on the sofa in front of the fire with candles all around the house…and Strictly Come Dancing on the TV.

2. Anticipation
There is so much to look forward to. There’s Halloween, fireworks night, Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve to plan for.
Eeeek…very very very excited for all of the above.

3. The food
Hot soups and warm baked cookies are my comfort foods of choice at this time of year. A big bowl of soup and a crusty loaf on the side is a perfect lunch when out and about. My favourite place to get soup when I’m in town is Pret. Their vegetarian soups are always yummy. I keep an eye on this page each day to see if they are selling a soup that I fancy.
I also feel this time of the year is a key baking time. A freshly baked biscuit is wonderful with a big mug of tea. Why not try out my Chocolate Dipped Orange Zest Biscuits for that festive flavour.

4. Bright and crisp mornings
How incredibly gorgeous are those bright mornings to wake up to! I love it when the sun is shining bright, there are no clouds in the sky but the air is super chilly. These mornings are actually my favourite to work out in. I love going for a run or going to Bootcamp in this weather. The mix of sunshine and endorphins is always a winner to me.

5. The fashion
A gorgeous coat, jeans, Chelsea boots, thin layered jumpers and BIG sunglasses are my favourite go-to outfit of the season.
My main aim is to prevent being cold so I can run around in the leaves like a big child whilst keeping warm.
(Keep an eye out for my next blog post on my ‘Autumn Fashion Picks To Keep You Warm’).

What do you love about autumn?