Rewrite the rules...

It is a while since I have shared an outfit post with you, of course you all know that this blog is mainly about food and drink with a little travel thrown in here and there. Nevertheless, when it comes to clothes I am more than a little obsessed and I can’t resist going shopping probably more often than I should. I have my own relationship with fashion, I don’t usually follow trends, rather I choose to wear what I feel suits me and what I feel comfortable in. I am six feet tall and curvy; believe me dressing for a tall and curvy shape can offer a double dose of fashion dilemmas but I love experimenting with style and putting together different looks. I adore items from high street shops such as Primark, Zara and River Island dressed up with a pair of designer shades or a stylish bag.

I believe that you grow in to your looks as you get older and in my case I feel much more confident in my 30’s than I ever did in my 20’s, I love my job as a writer and I think that happiness very much translates to confidence when it comes to fashion and style. It is funny as I am sure most women can relate to my perspective on confidence, some days it is elusive and I do not feel confident no matter what I wear but other days I feel more comfortable in my own skin. I just wanted to share this because I am all about keeping it real here and reassuring others that I have plenty of days where confidence does not come naturally to me. I have to meet a lot of new people regularly for work and sometimes I get so nervous, but usually I find that nerves evaporate as soon as I arrive at a meeting or an event and then I wonder why I was so anxious in the first place. I don’t like having my photograph taken either, I much prefer being on the other side of the camera, yet I do find it fun to share some style with you here on the blog and to take it back to where it all began for me in terms of content. On an important note, I also want to underline that it is not necessary to look a certain way to have fun with fashion, there are no rules when it comes to style and it is so much fun to try various looks. I have always been curvy and I doubt I will ever be slim due to my adoration of good food and wine, but I work with my shape and I want to encourage others to embrace their looks, to enjoy style and be confident.

I have worked with some great fashion companies here on Coco Cami, including Daniel Wellington, Grafea and Sunglasses Shop. Perfect for me as I am such an accessories kind of girl and I have far too many bags and sunglasses. Although I do not follow trends very often, I love the bomber jackets which are popular at the moment and I have searched for weeks to find one which suits my shape and I finally found this gorgeous dusky pink satin bomber jacket in Primark recently. The jacket is very thin, which means it flows in a way I like and I love the proportions of the midi jumpsuit with a fitted bomber jacket. Also can we talk about chokers, I have bought so many recently and I just love the way they make any outfit look more pulled-together and slick.

When it comes to how I dress, I like simplicity, clean lines and sleek silhouettes and this jacket really works for that kind of look. I paired it with this midi length jumpsuit, midi can often be a difficult length to work with but with a pair of black heels I like the proportions of this look. In terms of accessories, I thought this mirrored pair of sunglasses made the look complete and my trusty Pull & Bear handbag, Daniel Wellington watch and a simple black velvet choker created a stylish and relaxed look which was perfect for an afternoon in the city.

Outfit details:

Jumpsuit and bomber jacket-Primark 

Choker-Boohoo

Bag-Pull & Bear
Faux fur keychain (on bag)-Primark

Shoes-Evans 

Watch*-Daniel Wellington 

Sunglasses-New Look 

I love talking to you all through this blog and it is nice to share a post like this, which gives you a little more insight in to me as a person rather than just the food I eat! Thanks as always for your support, I appreciate it so much.
What do you all think, do you like bomber jackets and how would you style this one? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille

xo

*This watch was sent to me by Daniel Wellington. 

The Terrace Restaurant at The Montagu Arms...

The words Michelin and Star in the same sentence are guaranteed to make any food lover sit up and take notice, so it was with a sense of anticipation that I took a seat at an elegant table in The Terrace Restaurant* during my stay at The Montagu Arms. Chef Matthew Tomkinson is celebrated for his flair for using the local area as his larder, and with the countryside and coast of Hampshire on the doorstep of The Terrace Restaurant, there is a wealth of excellent local produce for him to utilise.
After setting his heart on becoming a chef, Matthew studied hospitality management at University and started off his career as an apprentice chef in a pub. He won a Roux Scholarship during his time at the Michelin starred Ockenden Manor in West Sussex, and he went on to complete a stage at Michel Guérard’s Les Prés d’Eugénie in south-west France which holds three Michelin Stars. He earned Michelin Stars at the last two establishments he worked at and he gained a Michelin Star at The Montagu Arms within six months of arriving there in 2009. Quite an impressive track record to say the least, so I was keen to try his food for myself. After a warm welcome we were seated at a table by the window overlooking the sprawling gardens and fountain.
We were treated to freshly baked cheese goujères to commence the meal, which were feather light and doughy and tasted so good with salted butter, especially since they were still warm.

The amuse-bouche of prosciutto duck, confit caramelised orange and hazelnut was a good indication of things to come, with sophisticated flavours and a delightful zesty layer from the orange which offset the deep meatiness of the duck. 

For my starter, I ordered Matthew’s signature dish of spiced diver caught Scottish scallops with cauliflower purée, apple, coriander and cumin velouté. I have had the pleasure of eating scallops numerous times, yet never quite like this. The plump scallops were offset by the cauliflower whilst the apple added a refreshing zing. The velouté was lighter than air and allowed the sublime scallops to shine as they took on the subtle spice of the cumin creating an excellent starter overall.

My dining companion enjoyed his ‘Tarte Fine’ of garden beetroot and English brie with caramelised onions, beetroot purée and apple salad, a perfect summer dish with a good balance of vibrant flavours from the creamy Brie which paired well with the satisfying earthiness of the beetroot and a crunch of texture from the walnuts.

My main course of Ricotta filled fresh saffron pasta with grilled and marinated vegetables, basil pesto and red pepper purée sounded simple. How wrong could I have been, however, as this was anything but simple. Again, I have eaten pasta many times but this was like nothing I have experienced before. The parcels of fresh pasta literally melted in my mouth with a lovely mousse like ricotta within. The marinated vegetables added to the dish and the basil pesto and red pepper purée created a Mediterranean flavour. This was everything I have always wished pasta could be, hearty without compromising on intricate flavour.

My dining companion was similarly impressed by his roasted breast of free range chicken with summer truffle, dauphine potatoes and Tunworth cheese fondue. I sampled this too, and I have rarely eaten chicken so tender whilst the crisp dauphine potatoes added a comfort food element to the dish and the truffle and Tunworth brought in complex flavours.

For dessert I could not resist dark chocolate cremeaux with walnut ice cream, coffee macaroon and milk chocolate mousse. Again where to begin extolling the virtues this plate is the only problem, but let’s start with the nutty delight of walnut ice cream which I could have happily taken home a vat of. The coffee macaroon was gone but not forgotten in seconds, the milk chocolate mousse delivered the richness of melted chocolate with a light texture and the dark chocolate cremeaux added a silky cocoa bitterness which  I relished.

Allow me to move on to the unadulterated pleasure of the warm salted caramel fondant with ‘cider lolly sorbet’ and crème fraiche. Anybody who has read my blog or magazine work for a while will know that I am something of a fondant addict, but this was a different take on the chocolate fondants I have concluded so many meals with. The sponge was airy and the warm salted caramel sauce was sweet and salty in equal measure. Salted caramel has become so popular of late, but this showed how delicate it can be in skilled hands. Meanwhile, the cider lolly sorbet practically created a civil war at our table as we both dived in to eat as much of it as possible. I cannot understand, only marvel, at how a simple sorbet could equate to such amazing flavour but this was rich with apple whilst retaining the boozy quality of cider too.

Well, what an evening and I know that people might roll their eyes when food writers call a meal ‘a triumph’ but sorry, that is exactly what this was. I highly recommend trying Matthew Tomkinson’s cuisine for yourself, as every bite of this was a journey through magnificent flavours and textures. It is no wonder that The Terrace Restaurant holds a Michelin Star and it was a privilege to dine there and enjoy flawless service and exquisite food.

The Terrace Restaurant 

The Montagu Arms Hotel, 

Beaulieu, 

New Forest, 

Hampshire. 

SO42 7ZL

01590 612324

www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk/terrace_restaurant.html

What do you all think, have you dined at a Michelin Star restaurant and which of these dishes appeals to you? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo 

*I was a guest of The Terrace Restaurant, this meal was complimentary for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

A break at The Montagu Arms, New Forest...

When life gets a little hectic, the idea of a break at a luxurious hotel in rolling countryside certainly sounds good. It was fortuitous timing when I was recently invited to review The Montagu Arms* set in the beautiful village of Beaulieu in The New Forest, Hampshire. Life has been very busy lately, so I was excited for an escape. After a long journey, we wound our way through incredibly picturesque country lanes and up the gravelled driveway of The Montagu Arms, fringed by the shimmering waters of Beaulieu River and Mill Dam where swans were gliding by in the afternoon sunshine. The Montagu Arms dates back to the 17th Century in parts and the charming ivy covered walls conjure up a sense of unspoiled seclusion as soon as you glimpse the grand building. There are 22 rooms and suites at the hotel as well as private dining facilities

After a warm welcome, we were whisked up to our deluxe suite, The Adler Suite, complete with three rooms. There was a spacious lounge, with sofa, television, desk, digital radio with iPod dock and coffee making facilities.

Along the corridor was a contemporary style bathroom with mirrored bath, shower and extra touches such as The White Company toiletries, fluffy robes and slippers.

The bedroom had a super king sized bed which was so comfortable, a television, wardrobe, sofa, coffee table and windows which afforded us stunning views of the gardens and croquet lawn.
There were lots of thoughtful extras in the room, such as iron and ironing board, freshly cut flowers, a selection of magazines and bottled water.

We set off to explore, taking in the refined ambience of The Magnolia Room, The Garden Room and the outdoor terraces which were the perfect place to soak up the afternoon rays. There was a selection of magazines available to take to the garden and there is a well-stocked bar area for those early evening drinks.

The whole atmosphere of the hotel is one of sophistication, there is grandeur throughout from details such as wood panelling, flickering candlelight, longcase clocks and antiques as well as an impressive collection of artwork adorning the walls.

The reception team is so helpful and ready to deal with any requests for local information. I was dazzled by the awards for The Terrace Restaurant (separate review to follow) including a very prestigious Michelin Star for Chef Matthew Tomkinson.

After exploring the gardens, which include a kitchen garden (where much of the produce used in The Terrace Restaurant is grown) we headed to the nearby Careys Manor Hotel for a swim. Careys Manor is the sister hotel to The Montagu Arms, just 6 miles up the road, where you can enjoy the use of the swimming pool and SenSpa facilities during the course of your stay.

After a couple of hours swimming, we headed back to The Montagu Arms to get ready for dinner. After dinner we strolled in the gardens and around Beaulieu itself, whilst walking by the river we were joined by a few New Forest ponies which roam freely around the area adding to the picture perfect appeal.

Back at the suite we found that the bed had been turned down and a pillow spray and even a weather forecast had been left for us. The lights had been switched on and the radio was playing classical music. It is aspects like this which really set a hotel apart in terms of luxury and we relaxed in the sitting room and enjoyed some evening coffee before retiring for a night of sound sleep in that very comfortable bed.

In the morning we settled at a table overlooking the garden in The Terrace Restaurant, enjoying a selection from the buffet of cereal, cheese, fruit and bread before a cooked New Forest Breakfast of our choice.

My partner had a Full English (minus eggs and black pudding which he does not eat) and I had scrambled eggs on brioche toast. The food was delicious and we sipped our coffees and enjoyed the views before setting off for our second day exploring The New Forest.

The Montagu Arms is the ideal choice for a relaxing break or as a destination to celebrate a special occasion. The hotel is so welcoming, no detail is overlooked and the sprawling grounds are a feast for the eyes.

There is also Monty’s Inn which serves traditional pub food, should you wish to go for a more casual dining experience during your stay. Tea and coffee can be served to your room in the morning for no extra charge, to make waking up in this truly special place an even more enjoyable experience. The Montagu Arms has it all, an elegant country hotel in a beautiful part of the world where there is plenty to see and do. This is a perfect place from which to explore the surrounding countryside and coastline, trust me you will not want to leave!

The Montagu Arms 

Palace Lane, 

Beaulieu, 

Brockenhurst 

SO42 7ZL

01590 612324

http://www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk/

What do you all think, do you like the idea of a break at The Montagu Arms and have you ever visited the New Forest? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo 

*My stay at The Montagu Arms was complimentary for the purposes of this review, Opinions stated herein are my own and honest.