Lipsy Animal Fluro Quilted Shopper

YAAAY a new handbag to add to my collection! This is my 5th Lipsy bag. I love Lipsy bags as they are most usually very bright with a fun design. This bag is no different. Its very loud with the fluorescent pink and the clash of the animal print, but I love the fact that it stands out. I understand it may not be to everyones taste, but I love the boldness of it and it easily adds colour to a plain outfit and as I have to wear black every day to work this gives a colour injection to my depressing outfit aha. It has a quilted panel on the front and leopard print on the side panels of the bag. The bag is a really good size for carrying all my junk.. esp college folders and bits of shopping I have to get on the way home. It has a really nice patterned lining on the inside with a zipped compartment and phone holder.I previously had an all leopard shopper from Lipsy that I got over a year ago for my 20th birthday, which I still use. Its just looking a bit tatty now as I have used it so much.  Anyways, I really like it and just wanted to share my thoughts :)

Inside the bag (Taken from my phone, excuse the quality)

Two more of my lipsy bags I have 5 in total :)

Thanks For Reading!

Helen xX

Raspberry Pie

Noooo, not a recipe! A quick wee beauty post. Wouldn't say no to a raspberry pie though! I am still obsessing over the Revlon Lip Butters. I never usually go near bright, darker colours like this one. I usually tend to stick to nudes and light pinks as I don't really like my lips/mouth. I had seen a few blog posts about this colour and thought it would be great for winter and I have been really liking this sort of colour in clothes, it seems to be on trend right now. So, I decided to buy it as I knew from past experience with these lip butters that they are buildable and you can wear it lightly so it just adds a subtle hint of colour, or you can go full wack and use it as a lipstick as there is great pigmentation. Like everyone else,  I love the fact that they are super moisturising, which is essential right now with the horrible cold weather. I'm prone to dry lips so its important right now that my lipsticks don't draw attention to that. Overall, its been a great purchase and I have surprised myself at how often I have been wearing it :) I am struggling with settings on my camera, it is relatively new, so I  apologise for the photo quality  and for how I look.. really run down my Chronic Fatigue doesnt give me a minute :(

      Thanks For Reading!

        Helen xX

*She captures her reflection then she throws the mirror to the floor. Her image is distorted, screaming " Is it worth it anymore.." *

Coconut Cookies

I love, love, love the taste of coconut thats why I have incorporated into my fail safe cookie mixture. These cookies are lovely and crunchy on the outside and have a slightly soft centre, with a sweet coconuty taste. Perfect go go along with some afternoon tea or a glass of cold milk. I found this blue china set in my cupboards, not sure where it is from but I adore it :) Want cookies that are ready in eat in less than 25 mins? Read on...

What You Will Need:

50g Caster Sugar
50g Soft Brown Sugar
75g Margarine
150g Self raising Flour
tbsp Golden Syrup
30g Desiccated Coconut
Splash Vanilla Essence
Splash Milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 190 degrees and grease baking trays

Mix together caster sugar, brown sugar and margarine until soft and creamy

Add Syrup and a small drop of vanilla essence. Then add the desiccated coconut and stir in

Sieve flour and add to mixture, and mix using a spoon

The mixture should be a bit dry so add some milk, until you are able to knead it together with your hands

Roll into balls and place on greased tray, do not flatten. They will flatten in the oven

Bake for 10- 15 minutes, They should be slightly soft when they come out of the oven, but will harden as they cool.

TIP * I used a splash of dairy free coconut milk to add a wee bit more flavour. Its fine to use normal milk though :) I discovered this milk last week and its lush. Its low in calories, free from all the nasties and a good source of vitamins. Its great to drink on its own too. The milk is by the brand Kara. You can check it out here. It should be available in most supermarkets *

Happy Baking!

Helen xX

Fudge & Chocolate Pieces

What You Will Need :

100g Margarine
100g Soft Brown Sugar
Small Tin Condensed Milk
2tbsp Syrup
225g Digestive Biscuits
150g Cooking Chocolate, Melted
Sprinkles (Optional)

Method:

Melt margarine, sugar, milk and syrup over a low heat for about 5 - 10 mins, stirring continuously

Add crushed digestives, mix and pour into a greased tin

Leave to set for 2 and a half to 3 hours

When fudge set,  melt chocolate in the microwave and smooth over the mix. Add Sprinkles

Leave to set * I forgot about the chocolate and let it set for too long so the chocolate was difficult to cut, resulting in jaggety edges * & slice.


A quick wee post in between essay writing (zzzz). So much work to catch up on, its just too easy to get distracted though...Made these to perk me up, defo enough sugar in these to keep me going :) Would recommend keeping them in the fridge after you slice them, dont taste the same left at room temperature. Base mix should be slightly soft and chewy with some crunch from the biscuits

Happy Baking!

Helen xX

Vanilla & Strawberry Celebration Cake

I have to admit this was definitely one of the best tasting cakes I have EVER made. I made this cake for my parents 30th Wedding Anniversary... way back in November, only just getting around to posting this, but its worth the wait and worth a try! Got to mention this was my first time using royal icing. Found it a bit tricky at first but practice makes perfect and I may well start incorporating it more into my cake ideas :)

What You Will Need:

Cake:

200g Butter
200g Caster Sugar
4 Medium Eggs
200g Self Raising Flour
Splash of milk
Vanilla Extract

Filling:

100g Butter
140g Icing Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Mackays Strawberry Jam - No Bits ( I find this jam to have the best sweet flavour)

Decoration:

Regal Ice - Ready To Roll by Dr Oetker (White)
Cherries
Jam (To stick the icing to the cake)


Method:

Preheat oven to 190 degrees and grease 2 cake tins

Cream together butter and sugar to form  a smooth creamy paste. Add vanilla extract.

In a cup beat together the eggs and gradually stir into this mixture.

When mixed, add the sieved flour. Fold together with a metal spoon. This is where I like to add some milk to get it to the consistency I prefer. It should have a light dropping consistency.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until light and springy.

* My cake was very light and airy, which made it more delicious. We do not want a heavy cake so do not over beat *

Leave cake to cool thoroughly on a wire rack.

For the icing mix the butter and icing sugar together, until it is completely smooth and creamy. Add a dash of vanilla extract.

Smother this onto one side of the cake sponge and smother lots of jam onto the remaining cake sponge. Be very generous ;) and sandwich both the sponges together

Next you want to either boil or melt the some jam in the microwave until it is a hot liquid. Brush this liquid over the cake

Now for the royal icing, it explains on the package how to use it but basically you take as much as you need ( I used about 3/4) and roll it between your hands until it becomes pliable  Then using a rolling pin roll it out to the thickness you require. Make sure you cover your work surface with lots of icing sugar first (not flour) so that it doesn't stick. When you get your desired thickness, CAREFULLY (!) use your rolling pin and place over the hot jam mix and onto the cake.

Press down carefully and mold to the cake. Cut excess icing off using a sharp knife.

Add cherries using the hot jam to stick them onto the cake

Now enjoy! I seriously loved this cake so much and was really proud of it.

Happy Baking!

Helen xX