New Year, Reformed Blogger

I am BACK!

I want to be a writer, an editor, a publisher. I want to be free to express my beliefs, to voice my opinions and to experience the world first hand. I want to laugh constantly, love always and smile often. And, alongside all of this, I want to reform my blog and its purpose.

Starting as a haven, becoming an opinionated reviewing platform and ultimately ending up as a derelict catalogue of past thoughts, this blog has witnessed many phases. Now in 2019, instead of making the common faux promises of joining a gym or completely revamping my life, I’ve decided instead to commit to regular posts and to nurturing my blog. I want to tell the world about my life experiences and, more honestly, I want to keep track of all of the crazy things going on in my 23rd year of life!

A Recap

Starting with a recap: 2018 was full of challenges and new beginnings for me. From a new relationship with an incredible man, starting a new degree in an unknown city and taking a trip to Southeast Asia alone, to graduating, turning 21 and having the opportunity to be paid for my writing, the year was packed full of life experiences.

I wouldn’t change a thing, in all honesty, but I have definitely learnt lots. From negativity and trying times, I learnt how to listen to others and appreciate that my perspective was not always the popular one. From the bad times, I understood how to properly appreciate the good times, as fleeting as they sometimes felt. And from witnessing people in difficult life situations across the globe, I vowed to always try to remember how lucky I am.

2019

So, what do I want from the year ahead? 12 months. 365 days. 8760 hours. I want to write weekly at least, hopefully, more often. Completing my Master’s degree is a must, travelling to new countries is a dream and finding my first full-time, permanent job is a necessity. Lots of goals, lots to do.

And for my blog? New content, insights, food highlights, experience updates, news opinions, historical insights and much, much more. For my long time and loyal followers, expect to see a complete site revamp in the coming weeks to reflect the newest chapter in the life of The Girl In The Window.

Keep an eye out, this is going to be the best year yet.

Recipe Spotlight: Ratatouille

If you know me well, you’d be aware of my love of sped-up food recipe videos. The ‘Tasty’ Facebook page is full of such amazing recipes that I often catch myself watching loads of them in one go and thinking I can make anything. However, I recently put one to the test and found it went amazingly, with a few much-needed alterations. So find below my ratatouille recipe inspired by this Buzzfeed recipe.

For the sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes/passata
2 tablespoons fresh basil (approx 8-10 leaves), chopped

For the sliced vegetables:
1 aubergine
3 salad tomatoes
1 courgette

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 190˚C.

2. Slice the aubergine, tomatoes, and courgette and set aside. I put some salt on the aubergine slices and let it sink in, gently patting them dry before using them later, but this is completely optional.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan. Sauté the onion, garlic and peppers until soft. Season with salt and pepper, then add the crushed tomatoes/passata. Stir until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Turn off the heat and add the basil. Stir a few more times and then pour the mixture into a baking tin with steep sides, flattening the top with a spatula after you do so.

4. Arrange the sliced vegetables in alternating patterns down the tin. I did aubergine, courgette and then tomato. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Cover the tin with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes. I found that after 40 minutes it was cooked through but Buzzed suggests that after 40 minutes you should uncover the tin and then bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Summer Date Ideas

I ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED THIS ON KETTLE MAG HERE.

With so much free time in Summer it’s the perfect opportunity to ask your other half or even your crush out on a date. But what can you do or where should you go? I’ve sourced some of the best Summer date ideas, from a casual picnic to a romantic dinner with a twist.

Outdoor Ideas

The type of date you go on is, obviously, up to you. For the most active couples, perhaps taking a trip to some of Britain’s much loved hiking areas, such as the Peak District or the Welsh mountains, is a good shout. Grab your walking boots, jump in the car and enjoy some fresh air and beautiful scenery together.

Even if you don’t feel like taking a trek, why not go for a stroll and take a picnic? Source out their favourite snacks, find a romantic location and wait for the sun to shine or even set. Kayaking, rowing or even sailing also make for interesting and active dates for the Summer. Grab a lesson in something totally random together or take an interest in something different that they might like. Whatever you choose to do outdoors, make sure you’re up for a laugh and some fun- don’t take anything too seriously!

Days Out

National Trust properties make a great location for a daytime date, weather permitting. The houses and parks give you something to focus on in moments of social awkwardness and the cafés give you a little time to talk.

The classic date idea of going for drinks in a bar is also a contender, but perhaps alter this for the Summer season by going to a pub and sitting outside with a couple of drinks. There’s something relaxing about sitting in the sun with a drink, it’s a great way to unwind and makes a fantastic atmosphere for a little romance.

If history or heritage isn’t really your thing and bores you, it could be an idea to head to a theme park for a thrilling day date. Be careful though, at peak times almost every theme park faces horrendous queues (often skippable through paying for extortionate ‘fast passes’) so you could end up spending most of your date hot and frustrated (not in the way you might hope) that you’re not getting enough fun for your money.

If the rain hits…

Unfortunately, the sun doesn’t always shine so you might want to play safe with an indoor date. Feeling nostalgic? Fight off the rain by planning a date that rewinds to your childhood: go to a pottery shop and make each other a mug or take a trip to laser tag for some fun.

For something a little more intimate, stay in with a movie or Netflix and some snacks and popcorn. Perhaps a date idea for couples or second/third dates, but just staying in and watching a movie is actually a really nice time to get close and be comfortable around each other.

Alternatively, grab dinner with a trip to the cinema (a completely typical date) or make it more original by seeking out a pop-up open air cinema around the country. These are great fun, allow you to bring your own food and set up the perfect opportunity to do something classic with a Summery twist.

If you’re not a film fan but still enjoy drama, why not head to the theatre? London hosts a fantastic variety of amazing shows all year round, but Summer is a great time to catch a matinée and enjoy something musical like The Phantom of the Opera or The Lion King, or a show with a bit more bite such as The Woman In Black. For music lovers, it’s an awesome idea to go to a concert for a date. What better way to bond with someone than over music? Plus, the exciting environment makes for a great atmosphere and a thrilling event to enjoy with a partner or crush.

Whatever it is that you decide to do, make sure to take the other person into account. They don’t like heights? Then don’t plan a date to a theme park! Make the most of the summer and the freedom with a little Summer fling and fun in the sun.

Inspiration: Father’s Day

I always find Father’s and Mother’s Day difficult: You want to get them something that shows you appreciate them and everything they do, but sometimes there just isn’t anything niche enough. Most of the time I ultimately end up making gifts- which is a great idea too because homemade presents can’t be disapproved of- but what if you’re in a time crunch?

I’ve scoured the internet to find the best Father’s Day ideas for different personalities (sporty, foodie, gardener, techy, handyman, alcoholic, nerdy & music fanatic) and hope they give you some inspiration on what to get. I think this post could be particularly useful for my sister, so I’ll make sure she gives it a read!

Sporty

• Personalised Bicycle Multi Tool Set: A great gift for a cycling enthusiast who’s always on the go. This vintage look tool comes with a sticker set to personalise it. RRP: £8.50.

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  Cricket Bat Photo Frame: If you want something a little more personal go for this bat-shaped photo frame. Whilst clearly a gift for a sporty dad, adding your own photos adds a personal feel. RRP: £24.95.

• Rugby Ball Wash Bag: This is a really neat present for a rugby fan: a rugby ball-shaped wash bag perfect for them to scrub up after a match. RRP: £35.
• Golf Socks In a Bag: Already presented in a fabric bag, these green and navy socks feature a golf print and make a nice gift for a golfing dad. RRP: £5.

Foodie

• The Masterpan: This incredible pan from Firebox promises

  

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  to be the perfect gift for any father who is a fan of fry ups-or indeed cooking in general- featuring segments for cooking different elements of a meal all at once. RRP: £59.99.

• BBQ Branding Iron: This hilarious branding iron is a fun addition to the repertoire of any BBQ fanatic, enabling any message to be branded onto the meaty goodness you’re cooking! RRP: £14.99.
• Marmite Popcorn: You either love it or hate it- what does dad think? This caramel popcorn coated in a Marmite glaze supposedly makes the perfect snack, but he can be the judge of that! RRP: £6.99.
• Personalised Box of Truffles: Thorntons provide a wealth of chocolatey gift ideas but these alphabet truffles allow you to write a personal message on your chocolate. What a yummy way to show your dad what he means to you! RRP: £10.

Gardener

• Desk Shed: I love miniature things so I think this desk shed is so cute. A useful desk

  

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  tidy but also a great addition to a gardening fanatic’s collection. RRP: £19.95.

• Grown Your Own Coffee Plant Kit: Does your dad love gardening but also has a full time job? Then give him this coffee plant kit and let him do what he loves whilst producing a caffeine boost for his job! RRP: £14.
• Greenhouse Caddy: A useful caddy with different sections to keep your dad’s gardening essentials separate. RRP: £18.95.
• Gardener’s Box: A beautifully presented box of gardening goodies, designed to fit perfectly through a letterbox. Included are a notebook, various seeds, hand cream and plant markers. RRP: £24.95.

Techy

• IBed: This is effectively a little stand for your IPad with a tray to rest things on. A useful present for a dad who uses an IPad on the move. RRP: £12.49.
• Whistle Key Finder: The idea behind this device is to aid those prone to losing their

  

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  keys. Simply whistle and the keyring will light up and let out a bleep until you can find it. Make sure your dad can whistle before purchasing this gift… RRP: £6.99.

• Virtual Reality Headset: Surprisingly inexpensive, this headset works with your iPhone to enable the user to watch 3D movies or play virtual reality games. It’s definitely a novel way to play games and a step into the future. RRP: £13.99.
• Wall Climbing Toy Car: A fun little gadget to race around with technology that allows it to race up walls! The sky isn’y the limit anymore. RRP: £20.

Handyman

• Wallet Ninja: This super handy credit card-sized multi-tool is the perfect gift for any handy dad. It even features a phone stand, bottle opener and screw driver! Perfect for needing a variety of tools on the go. RRP: £8.99.
• Chocolate Tools: These adorably detailed chocolate tools make a

  

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  fab edible gift for a father into his handiwork. Available in hammer, spanner and stilson varieties. RRP: £14.99.

• Animal Army Knife: This useful penknife features animal-styled tools to add some character to a handy knife. Need a bottle opener? Pop out the hippo to give you a hand! RRP: £17.99.
• Spirit Level Cufflinks: Miniature spirit levels are the main focus of these quirky cufflinks, perfect for a little entertainment for a handy dad. RRP: £28.

Alcoholic

• Beer Making Kit: Fancy giving your dad the chance to brew his own beer from the comfort of his own home? Then look no further than these brewing kits from Firebox, guaranteed to add a bit of fun and satisfaction to drinking beer. RRP: £39.99.
• Rum Buccaneer Pistol: This quirky bottle of 10-year-old dark rum undoubtedly adds

  

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  some flair and brilliance to a novel gift. Great for dads who like their alcohol but are also still young at heart and appreciate this pirate-esque pistol bottle. RRP: £34.99.

• Mason Jar Shot Glasses: Shot glasses shaped like mason jars are a neat addition to anyone’s drink cabinet. RRP: £7.99.
• Whiskey Wedge: A glass with a silicone ice mould designed to fit together perfectly. The shape of the ice cube is designed to melt slowly, perfectly cooling down your father’s whiskey as he drinks. RRP: £15.99.

Nerdy

• Star Wars Millennium Falcon Multi Tool: Perfect to jump on the Star Wars bandwagon whilst also sticking to a useful gift, this multi tool features 11 tools including a wire stripper, ruler and a screwdriver. RRP: £9.99.
• Gamer Soaps: I love these game controller shaped soaps, a great gift for a dad into the classic consoles! RRP: £9.99-£12.99.
• Marvel Avengers Mjolnir Metal Earth Reconstruction Kit: This is fab for a dad who loves to build models and superheroes. This Marvel kit allows you to build Thor’s Mjolnir hammer, what could be better for a nerdy gift? RRP: £9.99.

  

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• Superhubs Planhub 4 Point USB Hub: Add a retro feel to your dad’s tech with this  USB extension hub. As well as being really useful, this gadget is designed like a retro games controller! RRP: £8.99.

 

Music Fanatic

• Personalised Gig Poster: Customise these awesome posters to create your dad’s musical dreams. Is he in a band? Has he always dreamt of playing Wembley? Then put it onto this poster and let him live out his musical dreams on paper! RRP: £22.
• Air Amp: No need for cables or batteries with this speaker, simply slot your phone into the top and start listening to music right away! A small replica of an amp, this would make a fantastic gift for a musical dad. RRP: £6.99.
• SUCK UK Guitar Case Lunch Box: I’ve already confessed to my love of mini things but

  

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  this guitar case lunch box really is one of my favourites. Add some rocking style to your dad’s lunch box, be it for work, a trip or even just for snacks in the car! RRP: £10.

• Desktop Drum Kit: Something to distract your dad when he’s working or procrastinating. A perfect present to add a little rhythm to anyone’s day. RRP: £7.95.