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Christmas Picnic Loaf • Featuring Harrods Hampers

You know when you feel like you've been a very good girl this year? When a Harrods Hamper turns up on the doorstep. I might, yes might, have twirled at the postman.

It feels incredibly special and there's nothing quite like a hamper experience. A collection of beautiful products, all perfectly packaged and every layer feels just as luxurious as the next. It's just like a Mary Poppins bag of delicious food and drink with the prettiest bauble on top!

We are hosting Christmas this year and I will be using all of the goodies inside for our Christmas feast! You name it, it's in it, all wrapped in individual polystyrene slots, in divine, yet simple packaging. It makes you feel special, even if you are not a Christmas pudding fan.

This is just a hint of what's inside. 

These are, without doubt, the ultimate Christmas Hampers.  The ultimate gift for someone very special.

I have saved all sorts from this Knightsbridge Hamper for the big day itself but thought it would be lovely to test out a picnic loaf recipe for Boxing Day using some of the delicious chutneys and relishes.

I LOVE this idea. All your favourite leftovers encased in a crusty bread cave.

You can substitute any of the ingredients with what you have left in the fridge! I used:

  • Pesto
  • Chorizo
  • Avocado
  • Salami
  • Harrods Pear Jam
  • Sliced Turkey
  • Shredded Beetroot
  • Soft cheese
  • Harrods Boxing Day chutney
  • Sprout Surprise
  • Harrods Mustard
  • Sundried tomatoes
  • Pesto pasta with pine nuts

Slice the top off your round loaf and scoop out the inside. Set aside and freeze if you want to or use for breadcrumbs or dunk in soup like we did!

Layer your sandwich and when full replace the top and wrap in cling film. Leave in a fridge for approximately 6 hours to let the layers settle. Top with salad when serving if your layers have dropped! 

Slice and serve at room temperature.

I added a couple of layers of our sprout surprise. We make this all year round, a snack to nibble on when cooking which is meant for the dinner table!

Slice your sprouts and sprinkle on a baking tray. Drizzle olive oil, soy sauce, a good dusting of salt and brown sugar. Bake at 180 degrees/Gas Mark 4 for 15 minutes until crispy. Enjoy!

Christmas has definitely come early this year and I can't wait to stuff this beautiful wicker box with snuggly blankets after we eat and drink our way through it over the festive period!

It couldn't be a more heavenly gift to send or receive. I've made up lots of my own in the past, with cellophane and pretty baskets but there's something about the history and heritage of the Harrods Christmas Hampers that just adds a new level of sparkle. 

In collaboration with Harrods

Christmas Party Styling • Talking Tables giveaway #CapturingColour

Have you been joining in with the brand new week of #capturingcolour?! This week you are in for a treat.

I have joined confetti weilding forces up with Talking Tables - the wonderful party ware company, and we have a gorgeous give-away for you.

I love party styling, the day my boys say "Oh Mama can we just have money?" will be a sad day! They love big birthdays, the appreciate and remember all the little details and I adore all the late nights spent making up party bags and the after party where all our family and closest friends share a drink amongst the party debris!

This week we want you to share your botanical inspired images in honour of the Talking Tables Botanical Christmas Range of party supplies for your chance to win a set!

The holly and berries pattern is so distinctive, it's classic festive feel is perfect for any Christmas table, whether you are in the city or at home in the country this year. The delicate illustrations and traditional colours are such a treat to see.

All you have to do to win your set from the Botanical Range is share a photo to Instagram with the hashtag #capturingcolour.

Do let us know so we can see them, I will be sharing a grid of favourites as well as announcing a winner next week.

We would love you to tag us @capturebylucy and @talkingtablesuk and follow them for incredible party inspiration. Their whole feed is delightful!

It's a blooming good week :)

Show us your beautiful botanicals, share a photo of florals, the great outdoors, anything inspired by nature!

There's even been some well over due sunshine over our house this week, a perfect excuse to get in the garden with my camera.

Happy snapping and good luck.

To enter tag your botanical themed photo with #capturingcolour. Entries are open until midnight GMT Sunday 29th November 2015. Open to UK and EU residents. 

Peg Board Styling • Featuring Rose and Grey

Oh who on this earth doesn't love a peg board?! From your Grandad at the back of his garage, oh yes peg boards are a vintage idea don't you know, to your modern home office, these babies are perfect for everyone.

I love being part of the Rose and Grey blogging team and as soon as their Block White Peg Board arrived I knew exactly how I was going to style mine for this month's challenge. 

We have quite a thing about cocktails in our house, there's a bar set up on the old painted sideboard next to the dining table and it's a great way to justify my stripey straw habit!

I love making different cocktails for parties and over Christmas, trying out our collection of liqueurs that we add to each year.

The great thing about peg boards is that they are so versatile. You can use the wooden pegs which come in two different sizes and get creative with storage solutions. 

I wanted to make a little shelf for my favourite miniature bitters I bought in New York in the summer, so I quickly adapted a smaller plastic ruler from my desk, covered it in 2 strips of gold washi tape and voila - an ideal ledge for my minis. I had some sweet gold edged baskets that hung perfectly from the larger rounded ended pegs and found a cute tree decoration that doubled up as some festive word bunting.

The handy shelf behind the sideboard is an idea space to lean the peg board, and I love mixing old and new, the old furniture, with a modern wood tray, our gold stemless glasses next to my Granny's old decanters.

Now all I need is the perfect festive fizz cocktail! 

I might make this Tiramisu Cocktail again this year or stick with a more traditional Christmas Pudding inspired creation!

What is your favourite tipple at Christmas? I'd love to know what are you best non alcoholic ideas too, this year my sister and sister in law are both pregnant so I will be fixing some fruity numbers for them.

Peg boards make a great alternative Christmas gift so pop over to Rose and Grey and check out which size would be right for you ;) I'm convinced when ever anyone orders these as presents they end up keeping it for themselves!