Simplicity is Classy

As much as I love statement necklaces and bracelets and well statement everything, sometimes you just crave to feel dainty. Some timeless pieces that you'll always love are those that aren't seasonal trends and something simple. I just found a new business via ASOS market place an amazing jewellery line. Lily King. They scream dainty, gently and gorgeous. The items are quality and very good value with these necklaces at £12 each. Gorgeous little stocking fillers or a cute little gift? 

Until Next Time xo

Heel Condoms, wait what?

I'm not sure how I got to this part of the internet but I was a little scared I'd see something like this.

But instead I found something amazing. I have so many pairs of shoes in my room, but every time I go shopping theres always a new pair I want. This is such an amazing solution, hopefully the exchange rate applies other wise I'll just buy a new pair of heels! Heel condoms are almost a personalising accessory so you can change the style of any of your favourite heels. 

So for me this means never having to wear in a new pair of heels ever again. Well thats in theory anyway. The average price is $40 for the newest additions and $25 for the rest. I'm also wondering how well they'd stay especially for those girls who party all night long? I guess this is an excuse for me to review them now? Theres always a excuse to shop. Which is your favourite? If you can't wait the postage time, check their website for your local stockist, they're pretty well represented. 

Until Next Time xo

Banoffee Coma

Experimenting with one of my favourite desserts, banoffee pie. It seems the most successful cupcake recipes derive some classics stuffed into miniature cupcake form. So I thought, why not? It went down amazingly well apart from the toffee stuffing. I attempted the old condensed milk heated toffee, but it soon crystallised and the texture was a horrible sandy feeling. Bar this small problem they were delicious!

I had to show you a picture of the pipping since this was my first time using one and I've been addicted to buying all the nozzles ever since. For this particular frosting I used a nozzle similar to the Wilton 1M. I thought I'd got away with saving £4 by buying a different brand, but I later learnt that the Wilton's are more expensive as they're stronger. But I'll leave that decision up to you. 

Recipe:

• 225g plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 110g butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 bananas (mashed up)
• 55ml milk, or buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 115g caster sugar

Cream the butter sugar and eggs. Then add mashed bananas, milk, sugar, salt, baking and bicarbonate. Slowly fold the flour before mixing well. Bake at 170 degrees for 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. I used a simple butter cream recipe that you can find anywhere online.

You may want to use actual cupcake cups rather than like me muffin cups as they were so big and sweet it was overkill!

Until Next Time xo

Busted

Have you ever walked around the high street and found some gorgeous stuff, but its just way out of your price range. But you think hey, I'll treat myself. Walk next door and find the item you just bought for cheaper? Well in most cases these businesses import from large factories so you could find duplicates everywhere?! And I'm going to give away a secret to you. eBay. There are so many independent small shops and wholesalers online that offer these items at ridiculously cheap prices. 

I found this gorgeous antler bracelet when I had a 'stocking fillers' notification, I immediately put it into my basket and continued browsing before going to pay. Then I thought about it and realised how quickly I'd been sucked in by these constant emails and notifications to spend my money on impulse! Having a quick look on eBay within a few minutes I'd found loads more for half the price including shipping. The left picture is £10 and the right is £6. Great advice? 

Another example, clearly you can see a difference in quality with the extra beads and genuine silver. But as fashion jewellery that comes in and out of fashion very quickly, its perfect! I got this with free delivery, granted it took 20 days to come as it was direct from the supplier in China. But for £1 I'm not complaining. This was my best kept secret so be careful who you tell about this! Happy shopping.

Until Next Time xo

Quick and Delicious

After having one of those days where your just so busy you forget to eat or mainly just don't have the time? We got home and realised how hungry we were and couldn't wait for a take away or to even cook a big meal. So instead here is another fast recipe meal!

For the starter:

Using some ready made fish goujons (cheating I know!) put in the oven on 200 degrees for 15 mins.

Simply wash off some lettuce and stack roughly on a small plate. 

Chop some avocado, red pepper and dress with olive oil, salt, pepper and a wedge of lemon. To add a bit more flavour I sprinkled some oregano too, but its still delicious without.

Main:

Even more simply, fry the steaks in olive oil with a slight seasoning of salt and pepper with some garlic in a shallow pan.

Slice tomatoes in half and fry lightly with bacon. Grill chips in the oven alongside the goujons.

Garnish and serve. 

A very basic recipe, I think when your rushing you should have some quick and easy things in mind and in the freezer to avoid the fast food. I've fallen into that trap many times before! What do you think? Something you would try, I personally think it looks like a lot more effort than is actually needed. Which is also great.

Heres a great tip for testing your steak. Touch the tip of your thumb to the finger which stands for the wellness of your steak. Then touch your steak (remember its hot) and compare.
Until Next Time xo

Dear Readers...

... As many of you would have noticed my blogging had come to a complete stand still. Thank you all for coming and checking daily to see if there were any new posts. The only explanation I can offer you is one you would know yourselves, life being completely unpredictable has its ups and for that, has to have its downs. This was something that blogging among other things had to come second to. But the support from my friends, patience from my readers, PR contacts and companies I was in the middle of working with is so much appreciated. From today expect the usual random rants, strange fashion statements and some delicious/some disgusting recipes from my kitchen.

So, here we go with the first. A few weeks back I went with James' sister to a cupcake decorating class. The baker was a friend of the family so luckily we got in last minute. Since I'd been watching so many youtube tutorials I didn't think I would learn a lot. 

But I was wrong, cake toppers look so easy but actually they take a lot of skill. Depending on the design of course but it was lots of fun and I'd recommend it! All the tools you've always wanted to use were provided as well as some edible glitter spray which everyone was immediately addicted to. Those small flowers that you would usually purchase from the supermarket are very cheap to make but so fiddly as you want them to dry hard but that means they become so brittle!

How professional are these? We were very impressed and stuffed after a delicious tea and cake break. 

If your local and would like to try you can click here. The next class will be held on the 10th of December, for £30 you have 3 hours of decorating 12 cakes which you will take home. As well as the tea and cake break in between.

Until Next Time xo