My Perfect Christmas Nail Picks

This Christmas I have found the two perfect festive glitter polishes, both of which I have been wearing almost non-stop this month.

The first is from OPI's recent Mariah Carey Holiday collection. My Favorite Ornament is a white gold, small cut glitter, which is opaque in two or three coats. This polish looks even better on than in the picture, and I catch myself staring at my nails every time I wear it, and it lasts for almost a week with minimal chipping on me.

The second nail polish was from last years winter collection. Essie's Leading Lady is a red glitter with a darker red base. The only down side to this polish is that the jelly-like base of the polish can lead to it peeling and chipping after a few days on the nails.

I hope everyone is having a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Alice x

Christmas Countdown: Apple Tart

Not everyone is a fan of traditional Christmas desserts, and I am one of those people. For that reason every year I have to either buy or make my one dessert for Christmas day. One favourite of mine is home made apple tart.

Here's how I make it:

Ingredients:

Pastry:
150g plain flour
50g corn flour
100g unsalted butter or block margarine
A pinch of salt
2-4 tbsp cold water

Filling:
2  medium/large cooking apples
125g caster sugar
4-6 eating apples
Juice of 1 lemon
4 tbsp apricot jam (smooth)
2 tbsp caster sugar

Method:

1. Dice the chilled butter into a bowl containing the plain flour and corn flour, and rub together using your finger tips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. (as if you were making crumble topping)
2. Once the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs add in 2-4 tbsp water and kneed lightly to form a smooth ball.
3. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the pastry, using your dish as a guide for the size.
4. Roll the pastry over a rolling pin, and transfer it into the pie dish.
5. Line the base of the pastry case with either baking paper or tin foil, and fill with baking beans, or dry rice.
6. Place pastry case into a pre-heated oven at 190C/ gas mark 5, and bake blind for 15 minutes
7. Remove the lining and baking beans, and bake for a further 5 minutes.
8. Peel, core and chop the cooking apples, and place in a saucepan with 125g caster sugar and 2tbsp water and place on a medium heat.
9. Once apples are soft, blend until smooth and fill the pastry case.
10. Finely slice the eating apples and arrange over the filling.
11. Brush the apple slices with lemon juice and sprinkle with caster sugar, then return to the oven for 15-20 minutes until apples are soft.
12. Gently heat the apricot jam in a saucepan and then brush over the apples.

Enjoy!

Alice x

Nail of the Day: Models Own Champagne

Looking through my nail polish collection, I came across an old favourite I hadn't used for a very long time. Models Own Champagne is a beautiful light, champagne gold foil nail polish, which is opaque in only two coats.

artificial light, 2 coats

This polish applies smoothly to the nails, and lasts well with minimal chipping. Definitely a great, festive colour, perfect for the lead up to Christmas.

Alice x