Things worth mentioning

a random round up of bits and bobs I'm enjoying at the moment.

Best random purchases.

I’m going straight in with my heated blanket.
How have I got to 36 years old without one? I’m forever arguing with him about having the heating on, so this honestly feels life changing.

This is the one I have, it’s more of a fleece texture. Then we bought Ivy one that’s fluffy and so soft. Consider this your sign if you’re also a permanently cold person.

I bought some magnetic chargeable lights from Amazon as my pantry and end wardrobe has no light and I can never find what Im looking for, these are great if you also need those dark cupboards brightened up. They come with a remote but I use the sensor on them, so as soon as I open the door BAM we have light!

Beauty Bits

I’m also slightly obsessed with Beauty by Nori on Instagram her recommendations never fail me. When she mentioned the CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment as a game changer for dry, cracked lips, I bought it immediately as Ivy really suffers in winter. Within one day her lips were so much better.

Really going hard on the hair health journey this yeah, if your on my instagram you’ll have already seen, I’ve finally got rid of my blonde blindness locks and have gone back to my natural light brown colour. My hairdresser got me on to using K18 after shampoo leave in treatment as my hair breakage was so bad, and I have also added the detox shampoo to my weekly routine and their hair serum. I really rate their brand, my poor snapped hairline is already happier.

*20% off CULT BEAUTY with my code KERRIXCB

Is it even the start of year without wanting to improve your health?

I’ve just got back from a wellness trip with Boots where Sophie Richards did a talk on inflammation and shared her 30 day anti-inflammatory reset. Mate, that girl knows her stuff. I actually walked away with so much of what she said properly sticking in my head.

I have undifferentiated connective tissue disorder, so inflammation is something I really struggle with. This is also something I think is linked to my fertility issues. I’m currently on medication to lower my immune system, but I’d love to look at how I can better manage things through what I consume and also get back into moving my body, and getting outside in nature. Ive set up a channel on my instagram and so far there is over 200 people in there wanting to do the 30-day reset together to help us all stay motivated and I’ll be sharing any tips along the way so feel free to join, get involved or just watch from the side lines. I’ll link Sophie’s book here.

*Sophie also talked about how we don’t chew our food properly because we’re always rushing. She recommended 20 to 30 chews per bite so saliva can properly break food down. I tried it and was genuinely shocked at how much easier digestion felt compared to my usual quick swallow approach.

Fashion wise

I have this old Farm Rio cardigan I found in the dregs of a Liberty sale years ago. I bloody love it, it’s thick, ties at the waist, and I much prefer it to button-up cardigans. I’ve searched everywhere for a similar style that’s affordable. I did find one in Spain by Zadig&Voltaire I will link it here, its gorgeous but spenny.

Anyway my very talented mate Tara from Milana Studios has answered my prayers and created one. She’s smashed it. It’s just launched, and she’s released three colour ways to start with and I’m really hoping more are coming. I wear a medium.

I’ve been leaning into more romantic pieces lately (which I’m fully blaming on the press tour for Wuthering Heights). Something about naturally waved windswept hair and Margot in a corset has clearly done something to me.

Because of this, I’ve been really loving Reformation. If you’re not familiar with the brand, they’re known for feminine, romantic shapes think bias cut dresses, lace, beautiful necklines, floaty fabrics but with a slightly modern, wearable edge. They also focus heavily on sustainability, which I really respect and something I want to be mindful of but aware that its also hard to factor in to our budgets.

Pieces that feel romantic without looking like you're going to some sort of fancy dress party, that you can still throw on with flats or boots and feel like yourself and work into your own style. Nothing I love more than a feminine outfit with a pair of riding style boots or some chunky Dr Martens.

Linked all my current faves and top picks here.

Soul feeding food of the past few weeks

Every time I share my ramen on Stories I get asked for the recipe, so I thought it deserved a permanent home here.

Ramen Recipe
I use a pouch of chicken bone broth either Freja or Borough Broth. Add as much fresh ginger as you like (totally personal preference I go for about half a thumb). One spoon of miso. I cook the miso and garlic in the pan first for a minute, then add the bone broth and around 2 tablespoons of mirin.

I slice cabbage really thin, sweetheart is usual choice but I’ll use whatever I have or can get. I cook the ramen noodles separately, then add everything to a bowl with shredded roast chicken, chopped spring onions, and a drizzle of chilli oil.

It absolutely slaps.

Another recipe because this is genuinely one of the tastiest beef stews I’ve ever made, and so many of you asked for it. Please don’t come for me, but I prefer cooking it in the oven rather than a slow cooker… though I’m sure it would work absolutely fine in one.

Beef stew recipe

Ingredients
800g casserole steak
2 pouches Borough bone broth (or approx. 650g liquid)
2 beef stock pots
1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
3 bay leaves
2 celery sticks, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
2 tbsp plain flour
2 tbsp tomato purée
1 onion, chopped
Fresh thyme (to taste)
Fresh rosemary (to taste)
Large glass of red wine
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Ground black pepper
Butter and oil for cooking

For the dumplings:
Atora suet and self raising flour (I follow the recipe on the box)

1. Method
   Add butter and a little oil to a large pan or casserole dish. Add the celery, onion, carrot, bay leaves, thyme and rosemary. Cook on a medium heat for around 15 minutes until softened.

2. Add the plain flour, stir and cook for a few minutes, then add the tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well, then add the bone broth, stock pots and red wine. Season with black pepper.

3. Lower the heat and let this simmer for around 10 minutes.

4. In a separate pan, brown the steak, then add it to the casserole.

5. Cover and cook in the oven at 150°C (fan) for 1 hour 45 minutes, stirring halfway through.

6. Make your dumplings, add them to the stew, remove the lid and cook for another 20 minutes at 170°C (fan).

7. We have ours with mash and if you want the fluffiest, smoothest mash: push your boiled potatoes through a sieve, then add an egg yolk and a squirt of mayo.
   Trust me. WOW. Enjoy.

Thats all for now, and as always thanks for taking the time to read & subscribe x