Double Velvet and Christmas Baking

15th December 2010

My lust for velvet is insatiable. Last week I picked up this red bodycon dress in New Look for £5, although it’s far too short to wear as a dress, so I teamed it with my Primark velvet skirt

I’m ignorning the fact that wearing double velvet makes me sound like a toilet roll.

I also discovered a vintage velvet dress in my wardrobe that I had forgotten about, so that’ll probably be showcased some time soon, and Mum is meant to be making me a velvet skirt when she has time! We bought the fabric back around Easter!

Re-coloured the hair yesterday, it came out darker, and less red than expected but I like it. It’s warm and perfect for this time of year.

And finally today I had a chance to bake. I’m learning to do it for fun now, instead of as an obsession and my only regret is that I haven’t enough time to do as much as I’d like…I’m going to make it a new years resolution to get back in to it!
However, today I made spiced and coco shortbread. It may not look pretty (despite edible glitter) but it tastes, and smells AMAZING.

I used this recipe, from one of my favourite foodie magazines…

I’m not sure I’ll get a chance to make anything else this side of Christmas but watch out for new recipes in the new year!

Have you done any festive baking? I’d love recipes!

xxx

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dotcomchristmas

16th November 2010

As much as we might be trying to deny the fact that Christmas is on the way, truth is there are only 39 days to go.
Dotcomgiftshop has long been a go-to place for buying Christmas gifts, with their fantastic range of unique and often vintage style wares to suit every one and every budget.

When they got in touch with me a couple of weeks ago offering to send me some cake tins I was delighted. You know I love baking. And I needed new tins. And I love dotcomgiftshop. It would have been downright stupid to say no. Right?

I’ve been saving writing this post until I’d had a chance to bake something to go in the tins

(here)

Today I finally had a chance, and whipped up a ginger cake to pop inside.

These tins, at £35 might not be cheap but what I really love is that you can use just one of them, or two, or all three. They also look pretty without being gaudy (as a lot of the tins I’d seen in shops were) and have the vintage feel that I love.

I don’t think the cake is going to last very long in the tin. It’s SO good. I had some whilst it was still warm from the oven. Delicious!

Check out dotcomgiftshop and their extensive selection of gifts for all. There are new arrivals every week, as well as special offers and extensive gift guides to help you find your perfect present.

What is your favourite piece from the site?

This is going on my wish list!

Bonus, random outfit photo from first thing this morning when a bleary eyed Mum played photographer.

xxx

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this week I love

08th October 2010

Here are some things I’ve enjoyed this week.

Barry M crackle effect top coat. Amazing. I’ve only tried it on one nail so far but I’m impressed.

Kate Logan beauty products. Kate is amazing. She knows my skin better than I do. To find out more check out her website. I especially recommend the Rose skin tonic.

Nakd cocoa mint bars. One word…heaven! Despite being all natural and raw, they taste like a decadent mint chocolate brownie. YUM.

Herbal teas! These two are my current favourites, although I’m also enjoying Good Earth’s cool mint blend.

Baking! The book is amazing! I love Mary Berry’s recipes, they never go wrong. Yesterday I made her banana loaf, adapting the recipe to add a good mound of cinnamon. As well as the loaf there was enough mixture to make a few cupcake sized ones, of which I enjoyed one with a mug of coffee.
I can’t remember the last time I tasted my own baking, this was a revelation.

What are YOU loving this week?

xxx

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a well earned rest

02nd May 2010

Hello and welcome to a wet and windy Sunday! What happened to Spring? I am so glad that I’ve no intention of leaving the house today, it actually makes the weather more bearable…a sense of smugness that I can remain warm and dry in slobby clothes!

My busy week has finally ended! It was rounded off perfectly yesterday with an afternoon in Bristol spending Birthday money…I got a pretty good haul of clothes *and* have money left, which is you know..always good when your broke and in need of retail pick me ups from time to time!

Today is my Dad’s Birthday (Happy Birthday Dad, I love you!) and of course Birthdays call for cake,
so I made him one as part of his present from me. He’s a real chocoholic so I did a chocolate tray cake with chocolate buttercream and chocolate decorations. It’s a hit.

And here’s my outfit from Friday. I’m not feeling very inspired clothes wise at the moment so outfit posts will probably take a back seat for a little while, depending on my day to day mood!

Well, off to start my day of rest. I have a few little fun jobs to get done which includes catching up with everyone’s blogs (perhaps not such a little job!)

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend, have you done anything exciting? Any fabulous shopping bargains?

xxx

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Baking Post; Rocky Road

21st April 2010

Ok despite the title, this isn’t technically a baking post as no oven is involved. I spent some of yesterday afternoon in the kitchen making Rocky Road as a treat for my parents and their colleagues…
totally going to put them in a sugar coma today!

This would be it before chilling for at least two hours.

Want the recipe?
Of course you do! The one I used comes from the Good to Know website, one of my favourites for quick and easy recipes.

Ingredients:

100g/4oz unsalted butter
225g/8oz plain chocolate, broken into pieces
2tbsp golden syrup
2tbsp cocoa powder
2tbsp caster sugar
100g/4oz Maltesers®
100g/4oz mixed milk and white chocolate chips
100g/4oz mini marshmallows
225g/8oz ginger biscuits, broken into pieces
Icing sugar to dust

Method:

1.Line a 20 cm/8in square cake tin with baking parchment.
2.In a small pan heat the butter, plain chocolate, golden syrup, caster sugar, cocoa powder and stir together with a wooden spoon. Once melted together leave to cool for 10 minutes.
3.In a large bowl place the Maltesers®, milk and white chocolate chip, mini marshmallows, ginger biscuits and bind together with the melted chocolate sauce.
4.Pour into the lined tin and leave to set in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours.
5.Remove from cake tin and slice into 16 snack-sized rocky road bars.
6.Dust with icing sugar to serve.

Direct link to the recipe here

And how did it look once set?

Well, judge for yourself!