Nail of the day

Nails inc. in Haymarket

I'm absolutely loving this duck egg blue shade for spring, even though it doesn't look very spring-like outside (sad face)

The formulation is quite runny, so you need a couple of coats for the colour to become opaque. I have been wearing it for a few days without a top coat with insignificant chipping on one nail, which probably wouldn't have happened if I had used a top coat, ha!

The brush isn't the most amazing brush in the world, but it works. All in all a good, durable nail polish.

You can purchase Haymarket on the nails inc website.


Have you tried nails inc. polishes before?

xo

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Here are a few suggestions on what to get this Mother's Day.
My top 10 picks include indulgent skincare products; gorgeous makeup for eyes, nails and lips; accessories, and even something for the home. So you are likely to find something perfect for your dear mother (in case you haven't yet!).

Cowshed Gorgeous Cow Limited Edition Gift Set, Dior Vernis Nail Polish, SteamCream Whispering Blossom Tin,
Tom Ford Lip Color, Starbucks Coffee Machine, Collage Picture Frame, Guerlain Shalimar Initial L'Eau EDT
Nip + Fab 10 Years Younger In A Box, Aerin Spring Style Palette, Mulberry East West Leather Pouch    

Have you got any plans for Mother's Day this Sunday?

xo

Fur jacket

Faux fur jacket, Scarf, Angora jumper: H&M

Skinny Jeans, Leather bag: Topshop; Boots: Next

New in: February

I've come up with a new section which will be like a monthly haul, with pictures of all the things I've purchased over the previous month. Since I recently started writing on this blog again, I decided that on this occasion, the haul will contain pictures of the stuff I got in the last couple of months as well.

        

  

 

     

    

 

Studded jumper: Miss Selfridge; Lace peter pan collar, Spike bracelet: New Look;

Gloves: Topshop; Naturally Radiant Face Mask & Eye Cream, Sharpener: Superdrug;

Paul Smith Rose EDP; Studded black top, Houndstooth trousers: New Look;

Faux Fur Jacket: Gift, Headband, Handwarmers, Rimmel base coat & eyeliner: gift;

Cardigan, Beanie: H&M; Purse, Hair brooch: Topshop; Tops: Primark;

La Petite Robe Noir EDP gift set: gift; Studded top: Primark; Crosses top: H&M;

Polka dot top: New Look; Faux fur stole: Primark; Houndstooth top: New Look;

Peach top: Primark; Peter pan collar top: Next; T-shirt: New Look; 

Black Camisole: Primark; Magazines: gift; Vintage clutch gift set: gift.

Have you done any shopping lately?

xo

Gold Cross Necklace

 

  

I love entering competitions and a few days ago I received an email saying I had won a necklace, and it finally came in the post today! I love it and can't wait to style it ;D

This gold cross necklace is from Rock 'n Rose and is available to buy here.

xo

Black Shorts

Jacket, Boots: Next

Bag: Topshop

Scarf, Shirt, Cardigan, Shorts: H&M

Last week's outfits

Shirt, Cardigan: H&M

Skinny Jeans, Chelsea Boots: Topshop

Coat, Scarf: H&M

Knee High Boots: Next

Satchel Bag: Topshop

Quilted Jacket: Next

Scarf: H&M

Skinny Jeans, Satchel Bag: Topshop

Thigh High Boots: Store21

xo

Food: Black Forest Cupcakes

   

Today is my husband's birthday and I wanted to make him something special, so I chose to bake Black Forest Cupcakes which is his favourite cake ;D

I received the book as a Christmas gift and I was excited to be using it for the first time today.

The Recipe (makes 12)

ingredients:
85 g / 3 oz plain chocolate
1 tsp lemon juice
4 tbsp milk
150 g / 5 1/2 oz self-raising flour
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 eggs
55 g / 2 oz butter, softened
115 g / 4 oz soft light brown sugar
25 g / 1 oz dried and sweetened sour cherries, chopped
2 tbsp cherry liqueur (optional)
150 ml / 5 fl oz double cream, softly whipped
5 tbsp cherry conserve
cocoa powder, to dust

preparation: 
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Put 12 paper muffin cases in a muffin tray.

Break the chocolate into a heatproof bowl and set the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water until melted. Add the lemon juice to the milk and leave for 10 minutes - the milk will curdle a little.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Add the eggs, butter, sugar and milk mixture and beat with an electric hand whisk until smooth. Fold in the melted chocolate and cherries. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases.

Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until risen and firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool.

When the cupcakes are cold, use a serrated knife to cut a circle from the top of each cupcake. Sprinkle the cakes with a little cherry liqueur, if using. Spoon the whipped cream into the centres and top with a small spoonful of conserve. Gently replace the cupcake tops and dust lightly with cocoa powder. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

And this is the end result!

I changed a couple of things from the recipe, I didn't use the liqueur nor the chopped cherries, and added the compote liberally at the end ha! Either way they tasted nice and everyone liked them :)

What's your favourite cake? Will you be trying the recipe? 

xo