…two of my favourite things! This has been a bit of a weird week for me as we travelled up to Scotland last Sunday for my mum’s wedding day in a stunning castle that was in the middle of nowhere. We decided to make the 4-hour drive earlier than needed to make a bit of a mini-break out of it and stayed in a gorgeous hotel in Gretna. It’s such a gorgeous part of the world and the perfect place for a wedding. I thought it was a great occasion to dig out my Jimmy Choo Nova’s that I wore at my wedding and my mum had the most beautiful bouquet of pink roses that she gave to me, like I had given her my bouquet at my wedding that you can read about here.
Needless to say, there was lots of over-indulging in lots of yummy food like sticky toffee pudding and this amazing ice cream. Normally I’m a salted caramel ice cream gal, but this cookies and cream deliciousness won my heart!
Our hotel put on an amazing spread at breakfast and I tried to stay away from the pastries and filled up on the cooked breakfast instead, that included haggis! I’ve never tried haggis before and thought …’when in Rome…’ so gave it a whirl. It was actually quite pleasant, better than I was expecting anyway, but I don’t think I will be in a rush to add it to my weekly shop anytime soon.
At one of the food halls we visited, I spotted these new to me flavours of Lindt chocolate and just had to buy them. I’ve already cracked open the lime one and OMG, it’s gorgeous! Full of zesty flavour that add a nice zing, very different but it tastes scrummy. I can’t wait to try the sesame one next.
One the 4-hour drive back down from Scotland, we decided to take a lunch break at the service station which happened to have a Waitrose attached to it. I picked up this quinoa and asparagus salad and a chai latte from Starbucks.
I’ve tried to balance out all of that hearty Scottish food and got my weekend started off in an EPIC way yesterday with this cherry and vanilla smoothie in a bowl with all the toppings. I mixed up frozen cherries, vanilla protein, cashew nuts, banana and unsweetened almond milk, topping it with juicy blueberries, raspberries, almond butter and coconut Chocshot. I love the gorgeous pink colour, it reminded me of my mum’s roses.
A much-needed vanilla chai shake to cool down in yesterday’s 28-degree heat.
Now you all know how much I love courgetti, but sometimes it just doesn’t cut it when you want full-on comfort food. I made this lightened-up version of a classic carbonara last night and it went down a treat. I hade some fresh cherries and dark chocolate for dessert.
Since returning from Scotland, I’ve tried to add more veggies to my breakfast as per my tip in the boosting your vegetable intake post earlier this week. Roasted tomatoes have become a bit of a breakfast favourite along with curried potatoes, scrambled eggs and avocado.
Well, I hope you are all having an utterly gorgeous weekend! I think I’m going to have a relaxing one and have some self-care practises that I want to put into play like putting coconut oil into my hair, a mani- and pedicure, an afternoon nap, crafting and catching up with Breaking Bad. I may also squeeze in some baking too!
I’m not exaggerating when I say I want to eat everything on this page… YUM! I’d be interested to hear more about lightening up carbonara? One of the few pasta dishes I miss being sans gluten, I may have to try it with some courgetti.
Hope you had a lovely time at your Mum’s wedding, I’d love to go back to Scotland soon, it’s just so beautiful.
Have a wonderful relaxing day 🙂
It’s definitely lighter than a classic carbonara as there is no double cream, I think the eggs make it rich enough. Have you tried gluten free pasta? It can be a little pricey depending on the brand, but worth it as a treat if you are missing it. I really want to try it with courgetti next time, perhaps a recipe that needs to be shared on the blog.
Scotland is just stunning, I want to go back already! 🙂
Never tried Haggis before and not in a rush to lol, sounds like your mum’s wedding was awesome and the foods here have made me hungry even though am egging roasted tomatoes, eggs and avocado (we could be tweenzies lol)
It’s not as bad as you might think, glad that I tried it. Once you get over what it’s made from it’s rather nice. 🙂
Roses of any kind are so beautiful and tasteful to me. I can’t imagine a more gorgeous choice for a bouquet.
Would you consider publishing the recipe for that cherry smoothie with exact quantities? It looks so lovely and creamy ~ I’d love to try it!
It was such simple bouquet, but had so much impact.
Sure Jess, I will blog the recipe, I will have to make it again as I just tend to free pour. The cashews really add to the creaminess!
I do love haggis, but I only have it once a year on Burns night (not that I am Scottish, but it seems kind of fun). It’s certainly heavy, and I think I’d struggle to have it for breakfast. Congrats to your mum, the flowers are beautiful.
I don’t think I will be having haggis again anytime soon, it was nice though, but not something that I would go out to buy regularly.
All the best to your mum! I cannot wait to try these chocolates.
Thanks so much Laureen.
The last time I had haggis I was a child and I didn’t like it then but haven’t plucked up the courage to try it since, what a lovely gesture to be given your mum’s bouquet. I love Roses so much, I named my daughter Rose for that reason and because it’s a family name.
Hope you’ve enjoyed your relaxing day!
Rose is such a gorgeous name, I love girl flower names like Lily and Poppy, so cute!
Oh wow, looks like you’ve had a fab week! I’d be eager to try the Lime Lindt – it’s making me think it would be slightly similar to the Green and Blacks Lemon chocolate they have – which is totally delicious, fyi.
I took a trip to Brighton in the week and totally overindulged, so I’m with you on trying to up the nutrient rich food back in my diet! It’s so difficult to get back to normality I find though, don’t you?! Even if you’ve only eaten differently for a few days. We’ll get there!
She’s So Lucy
I haven’t tried the Green and Blacks chocolate before, it sounds gorgeous – must hunt that down! It is difficult to get back on track, but I try to remind myself that after a couple of days of healthy eating things will start to fall back in place. It all balances out in the end.
Sounds like a great trip – congratulations to your mum! The sesame chocolate sounds amazing. I’m still working my way through Breaking Bad – I’m on season 5 and don’t want it to end! x
Thanks Lily! I’m stuck on season 3 and can’t seem to get passed it. I wish there were more hours in the day!
First off, Congratulations to your mom on her recent marriage and bravo to you for catching the flowers… I know she handed them to you but… we’ll pretend. I hope you’ll share pictures of the Castle and maybe a peek of the wedding too. As for food, you had yummy treats all the way and that Lindt chocolate is calling my name. Have a great week ahead! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 Ok, let us pretend that I caught them, I like that idea. Hope you have a great week!
I’ve never tried Haggis before either, although wouldn’t be opposed to trying some. I think it’s probably best tried whilst in Scotland though. 🙂
Those pink roses are beautiful. Congratulations to your Mum.
I think you have to get into the swing of things and have a bit of haggis when you’re in Scotland. I quite liked it, but don’t hink I will be buying any soon.
Those roses are so pretty! Congratulations to your mum 🙂
I’d definitely try haggis. I always like trying new foods. In my head it’s like black pudding…and I love black pudding!
Both chocolate flavours sound really nice. I’ve seen the lime one before but bit a bit cautious of it but I might give it a try after what you said. And sesame seed?? Interesting.
Thanks Anna, it was a really lovely wedding, small and simple. You should really give it a try, I think it tastes fab personally and is something a bit different.
Those roses are beautiful, glad you had a lovely weekend.
Thanks Maria, you can’t beat a simple bunch of roses.
I have never tried haggis before, and to be honest it isn’t something I think I will be trying.
I need to find those Lindt flavours. I wonder if they sell them here in Switzerland. If so, I am bringing loads home with me!
I bet there are plenty of Lindt shops in Switzerland. I managed to find on in Florence and went mad on all the wonderful flavours that weren’t available in the UK.
I actually quite like haggis! I also think it is so sweet that you and your mum gave each other your bouquets! ❤️
I’m not normally a huge icecream fan but that cone looked incredible! Plus I love the fact you wore your wedding ‘choo’s’ no point in leaving them in the cupboard is there?
The waitrose ‘Go To Go’ range is absolutely brilliant, I grabbed a absolutely delicious salad with feta and couscous the other day and I need to try more 🙂
As for chocolate? Still addicted to dark chocolate with sea salt…