Foodie Friday - Pimped Up Gluten Free Macaroni Cheese

Macaroni Cheese is probably one of the worlds favourite comfort foods, and it's easy to see why. You've got protein, and carbs in one easy to eat and easy to make meal. One of the problems of eating a predominantly wheat and gluten free diet is the lack of variety. Go into any supermarket and your overwhelmed by the varieties and shapes of pasta on display. Look down the free from aisle though and your lucky to see 3 or 4 varieties, spaghetti, fusilli, shells, and maybe lasagne if your lucky

Yes, I know you can make macaroni cheese with other pasta shapes but its not really the same. Thankfully things are changing - Amy's Kitchen produce a very, tasty gluten free, frozen macaroni cheese, and Heinz have now brought out a small free from pasta line which includes, drum roll, macaroni.

To the best of my knowledge it's only available in Asda and Morrisons but it's worth tracking down for that authentic macaroni cheese. This is my slightly pimped up version but you can make it as basic or as complicated as you like

Pimped Up Gluten Free Macaroni Cheese

500g Macaroni

100g Butter

100g Plain Flour

1 Pint Milk

1 tsp Mustard (Optional)

200g Grated Cheese

Salt and Pepper To Taste

Ham, or Chorizo, or Salami or Roasted Peppers, or Sun Dried Tomatoes, or Caramelised Onions

(Optional)

For The Topping 

2 Sliced Bread

1 Clove Garlic

150g Grated Cheese

1. Cook your pasta as per the packet instructions. I'm using a full bag of Heinz Gluten Free Macaroni.

2. Now it's time to make your topping, put your bread and your peeled garlic clove into a food processor,

and zap until you have breadcrumbs. Then mix in your grated cheese and set aside

3. Preheat your oven to about 180 C Cheese sauce time - there are lots of different ways to make this but the easiest way and the way that seems to work best with gluten free flour is this one. Put your milk, butter and flour into a large pan over a medium heat and keep stirring.

It will take a little while but it will start to thicken eventually. When your sauce starts to coat your spoon or whisk, add your mustard - I'm using smooth English mustard here but you can use what you like or leave it out.

Then add you grated cheese, I'm using a combination of Red Leicester and Mature Cheddar, and continue to stir until your sauce is thick and bubbling, then season to taste.

4. Then drain your pasta

and put it back in the pan, then add your vegetables, ham or chorizo. I'm using cooked Quorn Chorizo sausage which vegetarian and yummy! Then add your cheese sauce, reserving a little for later, and stir everything together.

5. Pour your pasta and sauce into a large baking dish, I'm using my lasagne dish here, and pour the remaining cheese sauce over the top

Finally sprinkle your pasta evenly with your breadcrumb mix, and bake for about 25 minutes

6.After 25 minutes or so your breadcrumbs should by golden and your macaroni cheese should be hot and bubbly.

It's best served warm so leave it to cool for a moment or to before serving.

This recipe will easily serve 6 people alongside a salad, or you can do what we did and keep it in the fridge, and reheat it the next day, either in the oven of the microwave

Obviously you can just make a plain macaroni cheese with no topping and no additions but I like the different flavour additions to what can be a rather bland dish. You can obviously add what ever you have in the fridge and whatever flavours that you like, but I like the heat that the chorizo brings. I also think that this would really nice with some of the vegetable additions that I've suggested, especially the caramelised onions.

Are you a macaroni cheese fan? Let me know in the comments x Happy Eating x

I'm Going Bearfaced For Children In Need

I know charity is a personal thing but if you're in the UK, Children In Need is something that you just can't ignore. Since 1980, this yearly event had raised over £600 million for disadvantaged and disabled children and young people throughout the UK. This years event will be live on BBC 1 from 7pm and as per usual you can expect all kinds of comedy, music and mayhem, and stories that are bound to make you cry.

Like every year Children In Need has teamed up with several retailers including Greggs, Asda, and Boots to produce a wide range of fund raising merchandise from Pudsey ears, to wristbands, and for the third year running paw print transfers.

This year as part of their 11 year partnership with Boots, Children In Need are encouraging women to go #BearFaced and to sacrifice make up for one day, and instead wear a Pudsey paw print. 

In support of the campaign several famous women including Sophie Ellis Bextor, Rochelle Humes, Michelle Keegan, and You Tube's very own Tanya Burr have gone bear faced for a photo shoot with renowned photographer Rankin.

My selfie was taken by me, not Rankin, but I'm taking part and I've uploaded my #bearfaced picture to the BBC website.

I know it's a little bit late but you might still be able to get your hands on a fab, glittery paw print transfer of your own from Boots They're just £1 and at least 75p goes to Children In Need, if you don't manage to get one you can still text BEAR to 70701 to donate £1. To find out more about Children In Need, the work that they do, and other ways to donate please check out the official BBC Children In Need website. Thanks for reading x 

(Images Were Provided By PR, I Purchased My Own Paw Print And Was Not Given Any Form Of Compensation For Writing This Post)

Experiencing The Gift Of Style With Paul Mitchell And Gary Hedley Salons

Although I've been a little bit safe lately when it comes to hair, I love experimenting with new styles, and I love finding out more about new brands and new products. I guess that's why I love blogging so much it's given me so many opportunities to try new things. One such opportunity came last night when I was lucky enough to attend the Paul Mitchell "The Gift Of Style" event in Newcastle city centre.

Founded in 1980 Paul Mitchell is probably the quintessential, professional, salon brand. With a clear animal friendly policy since day 1, they are also heavily involved in charitable organisations, and community events and programmes throughout the world. They now retail in over 30 countries, and produce a wide range of hair products ranging from shampoos, and conditioners to styling products, and styling tools.

The theme of yesterday's event was The Gift Of Style and it was to celebrate the launch of the Paul Mitchell Christmas gift selection. There are gifts in the range to suit all price points, and all hair and beauty concerns. Prices start at just £4.75 for a mini product from the range, going up to £99.95 for a Paul Mitchell Neuro Smooth Hairdryer. Certain Paul Mitchell salons also sell a range of New CID Cosmetics so you can cover most of your beauty needs in the one place.

There really is something for everyone, but if I had to choose, I would probably go for one of the Art Of Style Gift Sets. They are 9 sets to choose from depending on your hair needs and hair type. Each one comes in a quirky, reusable toiletry bag designed by Australian fashion illustrator Sarah Hankinson, who has previously worked with Harrods, Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. The sets contain between 2 and 3 products each and retail at £18 each.

Paul Mitchell at it's heart is a professional, salon brand, so it isn't one of those brands that you can buy in your local store or supermarket. It is stocked in a few retailers including Look Fantastic, but by and large they retail in professional hair salons, that use their products on a daily basis on paying customers.

Yesterday's event was held at one such salon, and one that's proud to be a Paul Mitchell Signature Salon - Gary Hedley Hair. Starting in 1995 with their original salon in Newcastle's prestigious Eldon Garden shopping centre, they now have a further two salons, one in the small village of Burnopfield, and another one in Mosley Street, right at the heart of Newcastle city centre, and within easy walking distance of the famous Bigg Market and the Theatre Royal.

A previous Paul Mitchell event took place in the Eldon Garden branch but this time the focus was their bright and airy, Mosley Street salon. The weather last night wasn't the best - it was cold and windy so me and the lovely Becca chanced it and turned up a little bit early. The staff couldn't have made us more welcome. our coats were taken and we were offered drinks, and ushered into our gowns and our comfy salon chairs.

Since the theme of the event was Christmas and the festive season, we were treated to a dry style with a party, glamour theme. Gareth my stylist was lovely and so easy to talk to. He asked my a bit about my hair, and what I normally do for special occasions. Curls and waves are normally my thing, so we decided to go for a glamorous up do. I love up do's but because of my poor muscle strength I usually can't do them myself so I took advantage of Gareth's expertise.

As well as showcasing his own talents it was also a good opportunity for me to experience some of the Paul Mitchell for myself. He only used two for my dry style, a hairspray, apologies I forget which one, and the Paul Mitchell Dry Wash. I've used dry shampoos for years now and whilst I've liked them a lot, none of them have made me go WOW like this one did! I will be doing a full review of this in due course but on my first impression it blows everything else out of the water.

So using products, heat tools, brushes, bands, and grips, he twisted, twirled, and teased my hair into the most fabulous up do. My hair is quite thick but he managed to coax it into a fabulous twisted bun, that looked fabulous and most importantly felt really secure, and stayed where it was put. I loved it, it was such a glam look and so different from anything that I would normally do x

After I'd been primped and preened it was time to circulate and enjoy some of the salons fabulous hospitality. A topless waiter! brought round orange juice, Prosecco, canapes, sushi and mini mince pies and I had a good opportunity to look at the kits and the products, and have a natter with some other bloggers.

We also had the opportunity to talk to some Paul Mitchell representatives and some of the Gary Hedley staff. Unfortunately Gary Hedley himself, was unable to attend the event due to illness, but his friendly, and talented staff are an obvious credit to him.

At the end of the event we were given a really generous goodie bag containing an assortment of Paul Mitchell products and a fabulous New CID Cosmetics I-Gloss in Tickled Pink. all of which I will be reviewing for you in due course x

I would like to thank everybody from Gary Hedley and Paul Mitchell from a lovely evening, and I'd particularly like to thank Gareth for my hairdo x

To find out more about Paul Mitchell products and salons please have a look at their UK website. You can also buy Paul Mitchell products from various retailers including Look Fantastic and Hairtrade.

If you're in the North East and you're looking for a new hairdresser or even just somewhere different for a one off special style, then I would definitely recommend you check out Gary Hedley Salons, you can find more details including locations and guide prices on their website.

Have you ever tried Paul Mitchell products before? Leave me a comment and let me know your favourites x

A Review Of The Make Up Revolution Blush And Contour Palette in Hot Spice And A Giveaway

I'm never a one to pass up on an offer or a bargain so it's no surprise that I took advantage of the current 3 for 2 on all make up offer at Superdrug. I was good though, and bought a few things for presents and so on and just one little thing for me.

I may have just got one thing, but it was something that I'd wanted for a long, long time the Make Up Revolution. Blush And Contour Palette in Hot Spice. 

When these palettes were originally released I was torn between Sugar and Spice, and Hot Spice but in the end I went for the more pink, toned Sugar and Spice. You can read my full review here but suffice to say I was very impressed, the colours and the pigmentation are superb and the blushers are silky soft to the touch. I love it so much that it was inevitable that I end up buying Hot Spice.

Where as Sugar and Spice is quite pink toned, Hot Spice is all about the peaches, the corals and the neutrals. It contains 6 blush shades, a combination of shimmers and mattes, and 2 merged, baked blushers which are packed full of shimmer and sparkle.

These blushers are super soft and silky but not at all chalky and as you would expect from this brand the pigmentation is superb.

I once read something that said you should only wear blushers that are the colour that you naturally blush, well I think that's rubbish. The lovely peaches, corals and neutrals in this palette give the skin a real warmth and a real glow. Peach blushers are ideal for counteracting redness in the skin so this palette will fab for my rosy cheeks in the winter months. The blushers in this palette do look quite bright and because of the intense pigmentation I can understand why you may be apprehensive but don't be - use a light hand, and blend them in for a really pretty look.

Buy both this and Sugar and Spice, and you have pretty much every blush colour that you could ever want for less than £12. I know I said it last time but I just can't believe that these palettes are only £6! You're paying less than £1 for each blush which is pretty amazing when you consider the quality and the pigmentation. If you don't believe me check them out for yourself. You can buy Make Up Revolution products from either their own website and from the Superdrug website and in selected Superdrug stores x 

I'm a nice person though and thanks to the 3 for 2 offer I also picked up an extra palette for one of you lucky readers. So to win your very own Make Up Revolution Ultra Blush And Contour Palette in Hot Spice, simply fill in the Rafflecopter form below x 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This giveaway is open until the 8th December and it's open internationally x Please remember that my comments are moderated so your comments may not appear straight away x Thanks for reading and if you have any questions please leave me a comment 

Jewellery And H&M Heart Blusher Giveaway Winner Revealed

Hi Guys x Huge thanks to everyone that entered my latest giveaway x I really appreciate all your entries and I've really enjoyed reading all your comments and I'll definitely take some of your suggestions on board x

I received over 500 entries but there can only be one winner and that winner chosen randomly through Rafflecopter is..... drumroll.....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Natalie Crossan 

Congratulations Natalie x I will be contacting you later tonight for your postal details x  

If you weren't lucky enough to win this time don't worry I may be launching another giveaway later tonight ;) Thanks for reading and thanks for following x 

October Haul - Part 2 - Beauty, Clothes And Accessories

As well as my home haul I also bought quite a few other bits in October, including beauty, clothes, shoes and jewellery.

My first purchase of the month was a jewellery piece from Iced Rainbow. I've already done a post on my gorgeous leaf necklace which you can read here but I've worn it so often already that I thought I should show you it again. I'm really hankering after the fox and owl pendants at the moment but I must stay strong, especially with Christmas on the horizon

I'm normally a huge fan of the Next sale but over the last year or so I've found it harder and harder to grab any real bargains. Never the less I did pick up this fab pair of shoes. They're basic canvas lace ups, but the pattern is fabulous, featuring a gorgeous pink, grey, light blue and green floral pattern on a navy blue background. I won't be wearing these till next summer, but I really like them. They were originally £22 but I think I got them for £14.

I also got a top from Next. On the website this was originally advertised as a t-shirt but when I received the Christmas catalogue it's classed as a pyjama top. Never mind I'm still going to wear it as a t-shirt.

It's short sleeved and in a grey marl, and it features a felt applique snowman, with a woolly hat, and sequin detailing x I paid £12 from the Next website, but you can also find it in store.

As well as my mini Next haul, I also bought a couple of bits from Primark including the ivory version of the chain detail top that you can see here. It was on a sale rack and was only £3, instead of the original £8.

I also bought this set of three faceted, teardrop earrings for £1.50 which I love. I only wish they did rings to match.

Next up H&M - Again I've sent back more than I've kept but I did keep a couple of jewellery pieces including a set of gold and silver finger tip rings which were only £1.

I also got a set of four gold tone metal, mesh bracelets which were £3.99. You can also get these on the website in a rose gold tone and in a silver tone.

The only other jewellery piece that I bought in October was from ebay. I was looking through the site looking at fashion jewellery and quote pendants, and I found this.

It was 12 years this week since I lost my dad, and the quote really does ring true. You never stop loving someone just because they aren't with you anymore x Love really does go beyond the moon and stars x I paid just 99p including postage from this seller.

As well as the necklace, I also got a cute, pair of black, frilly socks from ebay. I don't know why, they were a bit of an on the whim purchase but they were only 99p including postage from this seller, and socks are always useful.

My final clothing purchase came from the Studio website. I usually buy the odd Christmas pressie from them but I saw this t-shirt and I melted.

I've seen a few Frozen t-shirts in Primark and the likes but I fancied something a little bit different - Do You Want To Build A Snowman? Always :)

Looking back at my purchases I didn't buy quite as many beauty bits as I thought I did but I did make a few Boots purchases. The first thing I got was from Maybelline, and it was one of the new Color Show Eye Shadow singles in 23 Copper Fizz.

Apologies that the pictures aren't the best but this embossed shadow is in a beautiful metallic, pink, copper shade. It's a powder shadow but it feels creamy, and almost oily to the touch.

The pigmentation is good, and it gives the lids a fabulous metallic sheen, ideal for a subtle festive make up look.

As well as the eyeshadow, I also picked up another lip butter / balm / stain stick, this time from Collection.

I'm loving this type of product at the moment, so I couldn't resist picking up another one.This is the Collection Galactica Lip Butter in 2 Cosmic Candy.

This is a lovely, bright frosted pink. It's very moisturising and has a mild strawberry flavour.

I have to say I really like this so far, my lips are very dry at the moment and this feels really creamy and comforting and I love the colour.

I read a couple of reviews of this next item before I purchased it - see yet more blogger enabling! but I'm always on the look out for a new foundation, and this one intrigued me.

Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation in 40 Light Ivory is designed to give your complexion radiance and light. My skin can look a little grey in the winter and I'm really hoping that this gives me a boost. I will of course be doing my own review in due course x

I know what your thinking, where's the nail polish? Well not one to disappoint I did buy one nail polish in October.

I got Essie - For The Twill Of It from the bargain, make up store in the Metro Centre. It's a gorgeous, blue, grey, purple and green duochrome.

Apart from a pack of Primark face wipes, I didn't buy anything else bar a couple of magazines which contained a few freebies. First of all InStyle which contained a free 15ml Elemis moisturiser. There were two options to choose from but I got the Hydra-Boost Day Cream. This one is ideal for dry skin. I'm a huge fan of Elemis moisturisers so I can't wait to give this one a try, especially during the colder months, when my skin is drier.

One of the most regular freebies in UK magazines seem to be L'Occitane hand creams, and last months Marie Claire contained a 30ml tube, in a variety of fragrances. I searched and searched and eventually I found the one I wanted, the Zesty Lime fragrance, and boy am I glad I did. I love this so much that I will be reviewing it in the coming weeks as part of my sample Saturday series.

The final product in this months post is something that you can still pick up. Being a subscriber I got my copy early but the December issue of ELLE contains a mini Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner. I'm going to do a little review of this too and compare it to the Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner Pen which is supposed to be a good alternative, so keep checking back to read it.

So that was my haul x Apologies that there is no video this time round, but I'm having quite a few problems with lighting and general recording quality so videos are on hold for the moment. I'm hoping to sort something out soon so please stick with me x I hope you've enjoyed both of my haul posts today and if you have any questions please leave me a comment x Thanks for reading and I'll see you tomorrow with a combined review and giveaway post x