Pina Colada Procrastination Cupcakes

Happy New Year to all my readers! I've been away revising for exams... or not. But I'm back with the first post of 2013! I'm going to save you the cliche 'here are my resolutions'. Along with many of you, I've spent the majority of my days procrastinating. I mean to an extreme! But here's one that turned out worth while... Pina Colada Cupcakes.

Mango... because I forgot to keep some pineapple! 

Recipe:

300g flour

230g soft butter

220g sugar

4 eggs

200ml coconut milk

40ml dark rum

140g pineapple, into chunks

Icing:

230g soft butter

90ml coconut milk

1tsp vanilla extract

580g icing sugar

20ml dark rum

100g desiccated coconut

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.

1. Cream butter and sugar

2. Add eggs and mix well after each addition

3. Mix in flour and coconut milk in thirds alternating

4. Fill a third of each cupcake case, top with pineapple chunks

5. Cover pineapple with more cake batter

6. Cook for 20 minutes or until stick comes out clean

7. Mix all icing ingredients together in a clean bowl

8. On a low heat, gently toast half the sprinkling coconut 

9. Wait for cakes to cool before piping

10. Pipe and sprinkle half non toasting and half toasting coconut

If anyone was wondering what tip I used for this, Its just a plain open tip. I will get a photo soon! I apologise in advance for all those who have started their New Years 'diet'. Give up and join us on the dark side!

Until Next Time xo

Converse Vs The Rain

I don't know about other countries, or where you reading from. But in the UK the roads are turning into rivers and it's starting to look a bit like Venice, without the suitable transport. Weather warnings are telling us to avoid leaving the house unless necessary for some areas and most trains have been cancelled. So my problem always is that I get soaked. I've been trying my different shoes to see which fairs the best. Pretty sad, but a good tip I thought? If you need a pair of shoes to wear while you go out and buy a pair of wellington boots, I suggest converse. My black leather boots were very waterproof but after a few hours they became really painful and my foot has been hurting for 3 days since. Somethings not right there. But any plimsolls you wear will just end in tears. So I tried my Converse and they were brilliant. Obviously I don't want to get them broken or dirty but that inch of white rubber at the bottom seems to protect you from everything. Amazing.

This is meant to be a field, not a lake.

The pictures don't really show how deep and heavy the rain has fallen, but its been bad!

Until Next Time xo

Winter Accessories

Its getting colder, swimwear is well in the back of the wardrobe and the wellies are out! It rains so much here in Wales that an umbrella is simply a winter must have. Well all year round accessory really. But styling it up can make the day seem just slightly less drab. How about a brogue umbrella? Very cute! I love bobble hats, great for bad hair days and also keeps you very warm. 

Alongside some gorgeous boots this season, leg warmers are a must. Not only are they so comforting and cosy. They look great jazzing up some plain boots or a simple jean-jumper outfit. I've seen some very on trend scarfs this autumn. Seems they aren't just a practical item anymore, there are so many with bright patterns, jewels and studs. There's so much on the high street to choose from ranging some simple thin layer ups in primark £3 - to thick, winter warmers from Zara £30. Whats your choice?