Birchbox KMS event!

While the nights are dark and the weather cold here in London town, I decided to console myself with a trip out to a beauty box event.

Birchbox, newly launched in the UK after taking over from Joliebox (which took over from Boudoir Prive), held an event in Central London celebrating the launch of KMS California's new hair product. 

I have been a subscriber to the box since it first started up as Boudoir Prive way back in 2011 so was excited to finally have the diary to attend an event, albeit briefly. KMS I have to say has been a little bit of a regular in Birchbox/ Joliebox/ Boudoir Prive so it is a brand that I know well. Ironically, however, my favourite KMS product was the crackle mousse that came in Glossybox in 2011.

We arrived at the KMS salon close to Regent Street to be given a demonstration of the Hair Play range (photograph below borrowed from the Birchbox blog post - see more here). 

We were then able to ask the stylists advice on how to use the products and they demonstrated some more. On leaving we were all treated to a special KMS Birchbox including the new Hair Play, which includes a brand new formula which allows you to go back and style your hair throughout the day. I'm looking forward to giving it a whirl. One of the lovely KMS representatives also gave me the last cake pop on the way out, which made it's way into my daughter's lunch box today for a special treat! It's the little things that make the difference!

Were you there? What did you think of the new Hair Play? I wonder whether it will make an appearance in the February Birchbox.

January dinners: Burrito!

Although the Turkey is (thankfully) now a distant memory, I still have a few leftovers still to use up. Not only that, my bank balance is looking rather depleted. By depleted, read empty. Early nights and dark cold mornings mean that I want good, wholesome food. No money means I have a little more time than usual to spend preparing food. Enter the Bean Burrito!

Start by making the bean mix:

-          * Chop and peel onions and carrots, fry in a little oil until softened

-           * Add a teaspoon of: Dijon mustard, runny honey, garlic puree, molasses, coriander powder, soy sauce

-          *  Add a half teaspoon of: dried Thyme, Smoked Paprika, Chilli powder, Clove powder

-           * Fry for about half a minute

-           * Add cooked Kidney beans, Haricot beans, black beans, and sweetcorn (you can simply just open a few tins here, remember to drain liquid away first)

-          * Puree a tin of chopped tomatoes and add to the pan. Season to taste.

-          * Cook on a low heat for about an hour (either by sticking a lid on the pan, or my choice, putting in the slow cooker on high)

  Then make up the Burritos:

-          * Heat corn tortillas in a microwave until just warm (makes them easier to handle). I should add that Old El Paso corn tortillas are currently three for two at Sainsbury.

-         * Spoon bean mix into centre of tortilla and fold in corners to make a parcel.

-          * Put the parcels on a greased baking sheet and cover with a mixture of grated cheddar and crumbled feta cheese

-          * Bake in oven until cheese is melted and the tortillas are starting to brown

And finally the Salsa, which you add to the top once the burritos are cooked:

Chop half a clove of garlic, a chunk of red pepper, a chunk of orange pepper, and 2 – 3 fresh mint leaves into mini pieces. Remove seeds of a big chunky tomato and chop into squares. Mix in olive oil and cider vinegar to taste.

 And there you have it! Bean burritos, perfect for keeping you warm on those cold winter evenings, and more importantly, perfect for when you have a cupboard full of tin cans and very little fresh ingredients left.

Enjoy!

Hello blogworld, it's been awhile

Well it’s been awhile. I could give you a long description of where I have been and what I have been doing all this time, but I thought it might be easier to show you instead:

Yes, at the very end of 2011 those tell tale double blue lines appeared on a magic pee stick. And in August 2012 my little man was born. He’s now a sturdy four months old so hopefully I will have a little more time for blogging now.