Christmas 2022

Welcome

to the

Christmas Issue

If you haven’t started thinking about the festive season this little guide will hopefully inspire you. Prepare for the sparkling festive season with standout styles, beautiful accessories and cosy knitwear for those crisp winter walks.

Nicky opened her house for us again and we’ve asked her how she likes to spend her Christmas. She also shared two fabulous new recipes with us, and we can’t wait to try these ourselves!

If you are looking to spruce up your home this season, we have a whole new range of cushion covers and throws on offer. Our festive Christmas candles and diffusers are back too, the ultimate warming winter gift!

We hope this sparkly issue will inspire you and as always, our full collection is available online at www.box2.co.uk

Wishing you and your families a wonderful season!

Love from all of us here at box2

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Francine

Waverly Bag £30 FA0024

Neptuna Necklace £25 NE0167

Christmas at “Casa Felix”

We’ve asked Nicky how she likes to celebrate Christmas, and this is what she shared with us… I just love to decorate the house! Every year the real tree arrives about the 13th in time for my daughter’s birthday. Then the decorations come out of their boxes; plenty of luxury baubles, fairy lights, wreaths and garlands, plus lanterns and much more. Then the fun begins! As I am now blessed with four beautiful granddaughters, we open presents on Christmas Eve with a glass of Vin Brulé (for the recipe see page 21) and some nibbles.

On Christmas day we go for a lovely walk in the countryside near my home then a quick aperitive at The Royal Oak, our lovely 13th Century Pub. Then back home for a big rib of beef for lunch with all the trimmings.

On Boxing Day, we have an Italian feast, lasagna with salads and garlic bread plus my favourite aubergine parmigiana. What I most love about this dish is that you can prepare most of it in advance and it’s great for entertaining, you will find my recipe on page 20

Buon Appetito!

Nicky

La Befana

(Gifts from the good witch)

It is not only Santa who brings Christmas gifts. Right across Italy, on 6th January - marking the end of the holiday season - there is a visit from la Befana. This translates literally as ‘the good witch’, and legend says that on this date she would fill stockings with candy for the children on the good list, and coal for the naughty children.

But she didn’t stop there, as she would also sweep the floor: being a good housekeeper, as was in her nature, but it is said that this was also to sweep away the problems of the previous year and leave the family with a fresh slate to go into the year ahead.

What’s not to like about this!

Felicia Silky Jersey Top £60 black TP0296 Marie Stud Trousers £70 black TR0137

What to wear this festive season...

With the big day creeping up, Christmas comes with a large to-do list so we have created a festive look book so you can get your sparkle on this festive season!

Boxing Day Christmas Eve

It's the little finishing touches that can make an outfit feel special. Just add some statement jewellery to create an instant festive flourish. They also make a perfect stocking filler.

"Pearls have always been my favourite way to up-style any outfit. I always say they are a much cheaper alternative to a facelift!"

Nicky Felix

Aubergine Parmigiana

Method:

1. Overnight soak the aubergines in salted water; cut off the caliph and cut into thickish slices, about 1 cm thick. Place them in a bowl and sprinkle liberally with coarse salt, cover with water and place a saucer on top to keep the aubergines submerged, place a weight on the saucer.

2. In the morning drain the aubergines, rinse and dry with a clean cloth to squeeze the water out.

3. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and when the oil is hot, fry the aubergines until they are slightly brown and soft.

4. Make a tomato sauce by gently frying the garlic, tomato puree and tomatoes in some olive oil. Add the dried oregano when you add the puree or if you are using fresh basil, add that once you have taken the pan off the heat. Cook gently for a few minutes until thickened a little.

Ingredients

• Grated Parmesan cheese • 1 large Mozzarella cheese or 2 smaller versions (I use the Galbani® Maxi) • Salt and pepper to taste

5. In a large baking dish, spread a little of the tomato sauce over the base. Top the sauce with a layer of aubergine slices, then season well. Spoon over a bit more sauce, then scatter over some mozzarella. Repeat until all gone but finish with the tomato sauce. Scatter over more mozzarella and finish the top layer with grated Parmesan. Chill for up to 24 hrs or bake straight away.

6. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bake for 20 mins until the top is crisp and golden, and the tomato sauce bubbling. Then leave to cool for 10 minutes, this will make it easier to serve.

Enjoy!

Italian Vin Brulé

For a truly "eccellente" celebration!

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup sugar, or honey

• Orange peel strips from 1 orange

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

• Lemon peel strips from 1 lemon

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 4 whole cloves

• 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg

• 1 bottle full-bodied red wine

• 1/4-inch piece ginger, peeled and bruised

• 1 whole star anise

• 1/2 vanilla bean pod

• 10 whole allspice berries

• 5 whole black peppercorns

• 1-2 bay leaves

Method:

1.

In a heavy pan (a Dutch oven is ideal for this because it holds heat well to keep your mulled wine warm once it's ready), mix the sugar or honey, citrus zest, orange juice, and spices.

2. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until the sugar or honey is dissolved and an aromatic syrup has formed. Lower the heat and add the wine, bringing it to just a bare simmer and continue over low heat for about 15 minutes until the wine is flavourful. Be careful not to let the wine boil!

3. Ladle through a fine-mesh strainer into mugs or heat-resistant glasses to serve and garnish each mug with an orange slice or stick of cinnamon.

Salute! x

BOXING DAY

The Boxing Day walk; a festive tradition! After enjoying the festive indulgence of Christmas, Boxing Day is the perfect opportunity to put on your favourite cashmere scarf and coat and head into the beautiful British countryside with family and friends to stretch your legs and walk off that Christmas pudding.

The Italian Collection

Say goodbye to what-to-wear indecision with simply stylish pieces in the most divine viscose satin. Exclusively made in Italy, these brand-new styles are the perfect attire for all your invites this season. Just add a string of pearls (or go without). One size fits UK size 14 to 26, 100% viscose, machine washable.

Dasha Viscose Satin Dress £60 Cypress one size fits UK size 14 to 26 DR0093

Tannis Viscose Satin Top £50 Pearl one size fits UK size 14 to 26 TP0307

Dasha Viscose Satin Dress £60 Black one size fits UK size 14 to 26 DR0093

Tannis Viscose Satin Top £50 Cypress one size fits UK size 14 to 26 TP0307

Tayla Jacquard Satin Top £50 Pearl one size fits UK size 14 to 26 TP0308

Top £50 Black one size fits UK size 14 to 26 TP0307

Tannis Viscose Satin

Tayla Jacquard Satin Top £50 Cypress one size fits UK size 14 to 26 TP0308

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