Staying Indoors...

Today I've stayed in - it's been raining and it's nearly the end of my two week break from uni. I deserve it!
So, armed with my new mug, which I got for Christmas from my Mom, and which I stupidly have not yet showed you, I chilled out and watched my favourite TV show EVER - The Tribe.
I got Season 1 for Christmas you see, bought season 2 and 3 as a present to myself for finishing my dissertation - season 3 came weeks ago and season 2 decided to make an appearance today, so I thought 'what the heck' and have been watching it and doodling on what has been a very relaxing day.
How do you spend your rainy days?
Love ya!
Belles
xxx

I live by the sea...

So why have I not yet posted a h'choc seaside post?!?!?! CRAZY!
Yesterday (really yesterday now as I'm up to date!!!) 6th Feb 2013, I went for a walk with 3 of my housemates - all lads - to Swanpool and Gylly beaches. It was ferociously cold when the sun went in and the café on Swanpool beach was still open so, like a calling, I ran over and grabbed myself a normal hot chocolate. They cost £1.70 and are quite small. If you want an extravagant one where they melt a chocolate ice lolly into a hot chocolate with whipped cream and such, then you're looking at £2.00 - I think that's a lush price!
My little £1.70 one was EXTREMELY tasty - you could smell the chocolateness as soon as she put it infront of me; it warmed me up as, yet again, I forgot my hedgehog gloves and the view was beautiful. I love living by the sea.
My boyfriend was enticed into getting himself one, too. He loved it.
If you were stranded on an island, would hot chocolate be in your survival kit?
Belles
xxxx

Dissertation Hand In Day! 25th Jan 2013

Why get drunk when you can head to The Stannary for a hot chocolate and chocolate brownie cake?!
Dissertation is done and handed in.. I would like to thank Hot Chocolate for helping me through it all.
I couldn't have done it without you!
I would also like to say Happy Birthday to my beautiful Fally Girl Laura.. <3
Hot chocolates for everyone, except Laura - she's having a G&T ;)
Freedom tastes a lot like Hot Chocolate, then again so does my life!
Belles
xxxx

Is It Bad That I Went To Starbucks??

My Dad thinks so :/ ...
I was home for Christmas and so on 18th December I went to meet 2 of my lovely friends at Starbucks for a hot chocolate - we drank in so I couldn't even get my name on the cup :'( .. ONE DAY (if my dad ever allows me back there).
The hot chocolate was very nice - I still don't think it comes anywhere near as close as Café Nero but I may just be being biased as I go there ALL THE TIME!! :)
The mug was big, the cream was plentiful and the company was perfect! Unfortunately Nikki and Georgie are too camera shy to let me take any photos of them to post, but one day I will catch them red handed - they enjoyed the hot chocolate. Lovely girlies.
It's a shame that Starbucks is facing these tax shenanigans, really it's no-one's fault but their own.
I only went there to investigate - for educational purposes if you will. Don't judge me.
Hot chocolate - heaven-sent or a sin?
Merry Christmas!!
Belles
xxx

The Greatest Rugby Outing Ever...

This isn't turning into a rugby blog - I promise!
It's just that on the way to watch England v New Zealand (All Blacks) at Twickenham on 1st December 2012, I stopped off at a service station and got a costa hot chocolate to go :). It was the frostiest day and we had a long drive and the hot chocolate was perfect.
I'm surprised I haven't put a Costa Review on here before because their hot chocolates are pretty good!!
And this hot chocolate seemed to be a good luck charm as we went on to beat The All Blacks for the first time in 10 years?! AMAZING!
Therefore, that Costa hot chocolate to go will stay forever in my memory.
Look how frosty it was..
and how good the h'choc looks in the England colours..
and I especially love the message on the cup - "Feel Christmassy Inside"
Your favourite H'choc-to-go situation???
Belles
xxx

Bristol Rugby do Cadbury's...

So if you don't know by now, I am a HUGE rugby fan. I support my local club Bristol Rugby and this was a home game on 11th November 2012 - a bit chilly!!
Amongst the pasties, pints and sausage rolls there was a safe haven in the form of the hot chocolate stand - every h'choc lovers dream!! The hot chocolate was boiling, acting not only as a chocolate treat but also as a way to warm my hands - back then I didn't have my hedgehog gloves - I shall post a pic soon!!!
This hot chocolate was especially tasty as it was Cadbury's!!! <-- See, rugby grounds have class! I was spoilt rotten.. and I'm pretty sure we won that day too.
I wonder if we fed rugby players h'choc before they played, they would always win!!??
Are you keeping score?
Belles
xx

It's Bonfire Night!!

Okee so it's not Bonfire Night, but this is where I left off last year.. again, such a nightmare!!
My Bonfire Night was a small affair, in my garden with my family - LOADS of sparklers, burgers, hot dogs and hot chocolate! PERFECT!
Our little display was very pretty and we were all wrapped up in the cold back garden with candles and the chimnea alight.
At home I have my most favourite mug EVER - my Alice in Wonderland mug.. so pretty and whimsical just how I like them!!
All cosied up on our recliner sofas - a perfect way to end Bonfire Night 2012.
How was your Bonfire Night?
Belles
xx

A Blogger's Delight... More like a nightmare!!

Hey H'Choc lovelies ..

I've got to apologise for the huge gap between posts - I'd published a load of them via my beaut of a smartphone, but apparently they never actually published.. NIGHTMARE!

I hope I haven't left you all with chocolatey withdrawal symptoms.

Oh and HAPPY HOT CHOCOLATE NEW YEAR!

You can look forward to a lot of hot chocolate posts this year - reviews, recommendations and photos.

What was your favourite hot chocolate of 2012??

Love ya!

Belles

xxx

Wetherspoons.. With my bear!

<p>At home I spent a quality night of catchup talk and hot chocolate with my beautiful friend Clare Bear.

We went to Wetherspoons and I was pleasantly surprised.. You get a regular mug sized portion for just £1.09! What's more... It comes covered in cream!

And it was tasty.. Definitely recommend it if youre a student like me.

Clare enjoyed it...

Dated: 8th November 2012

Pumpkin at the station

Sorry it's been so long my h'choc lovies!

But this is me at the station before a long journey home for reading week.. It was too cold for even the owl hat to handle so I grabbed a pumpkin cafe medium hot chocolate. I even managed to get a loyalty card.. Train journeys won't be dull from now on!

The hot chocolate was nice.
Dated: 3rd November 2012

Cafe Nero..

Where dreams are made... In a cup.. On a saucer and topped with cream.

I give you a regular cafe Nero hot chocolate. But let me tell you... It's far from regular!

Its heaven... In a cup.

How's your day?

Belles x

Ps... That's a tuna melt panini. It was gorgeous.

Young hearts, run wild

I love this mug.

But sometimes I think it longs to run free.

Looking at the pictures, I think mugsy's hearts belong to Mr. Gnome.

Belles x

Dated: 11th Oct 2012

Gold stars...

I often get treated to hot chocolate sprinkle shapes..

The sweet things behind the bar at The Stannary tend to treat me when I'm wearing something "cool" ..

Today it was my gold sequin headband.. I must've looked like a star. Teehee.

And being all angelic like... I drank this beaut in the NEW library whilst working hard.

Hard work = gold stars.

Belles x

Dated: 17th Oct 2012

Dancing goats... With skinny milk

Sat in a dissertation seminar. Early morning. Cold...

So what do I do?

I march out the door, find a hot choccie machine and in goes my £1.20.

And I'm given my hot chocolate in a cup decorated with dancing goats.

Brightening my day is an understatement...
And it's made with skinny milk!!

A girl's heaven. <3

Hope your days full of dancing goats of your own!

Belles x

Dated: 11th Oct 2012

Girls Night In <3

Living with 4 boys.. I need regular precious catch up times with my uni girls and this was no exception..

Home made popcorn, crisps, a chick flick, marshmallows and Hot Chocolate ( in my Ol' faithful red mug). PERFECT.

Belles x

Dated: 10th Oct 2012

There's no place better...

Well, there shouldn't be. But as nice as my little student converted bungalow is... I'd much rather be in a coffee shop in New York.

Belles x

Ps... I know my sofas are vile! I normally cover them with a cosy throw but the boys had hidden it!!

Pps.. Don't you just love my owl hat? SO COSY! <3

Dated: 7th Oct 2012

Hot Chocolate at the Stannary

My first day back at uni (4th Oct 2012) and it's an early start... A hot chocolate after our lecture is just what we need!!

Look at the bubbly chocolate! Topped with chocolate sprinkles.. Ooh and did I mention its a large!

So lush. X