Chocolate and vanilla cupcakes

Lisa asked about these, so i thought I'd do a post with how i made them. They were so easy and were really popular with Phil.

All i did was make a basic fairy cake mixture

4oz butter(softened)

4oz sugar

4oz self raising flour

2 eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Cream together the butter and sugar and then beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. Then fold in the flour.

Also a basic chocolate fairy cake mixture in a seperate bowl using the same method but substituting some of the flour for cocoa powder(I'm sorry for lack of measurements but i do it by eye!)

Have your fairy cake cases ready and spoon in a generous spoon of one of the mixes. Follow this with a spoon of the other mix. Get a fork and swirl the mixes together. Not too much or they'll just merge into one and you won't get a two tone effect.

Pop them into a preheated oven(180C) for 10-12 minutes. To check they are cooked either gently press on the top of one with a finger, if it bounces back its cooked, or slide a kife right into one, if it comes out clean, its cooked!

Leave to cool.

While i left them to cool i made the icing.

4oz butter

6oz icing sugar

2oz cocoa powder

Beat the softened butter and icing sugar together, then add the cocoa powder. If the mixture seems dry add a spoonful of milk.

Once the cakes are cool, spread the icing over the cakes. I'm always far to generous with icing, i hate seeing cakes with mean amounts of icing on them. To decorate i used vanilla and chocolate marshmallows. I got a huge bag from tescos baking aisle( they are also yum on hot chocolate). You could use sprinkles or chocolate buttons or anything really!

This is the inside of one of them, sadly i chose one that wasn't swirled enough but you can get the idea!

xxxx

Review: Lush Mrs Whippy Bath Ballistic

I've not done a review in aggggesss but when i saw this i had to try it so i dragged Phil into Lush so i could buy one

What is it?
A new bath ballistic from Lush and is described as a strawberry ice cream skin softener. Just pop into a hot bath and watch it fizz. This costs £2.50 in store and online.

What they say
With her husband off making ice creams, Mrs Whippy needed something to do, didn't she? Jack Constantine created this one for his wife; he wanted a soothing, creamy bath that would relax her and leave her skin as soft as a vegan alternative to silk.

There is soya milk in the middle, so the water becomes extra softened when the ballistic fizzes down to the centre. It's a milk bath like Cleopatra used to have, and it's great for soothing skin after intense sunshine. Mrs. Whippy fizzes slowly, giving you a long-lasting soak and smooth skin. Taken from the Lush website.

Good things

• The smell, like strawberry milkshake, i put this in the bottom of my wardrobe before using it and my wardrobe smelt gorgeous.
• So pretty, as usual these look gorgeous.
• It made the bath water pink with creamy foam on top.
• Once in the bath the smell was gorgeous but not overpowering and it lasted rather then going as soon as the fizzing stopped.
• The water felt lovely.
• Afterwards my skin felt really soft and smooth and i didn't need to apply my usual body lotion.

Bad things
Ermm, none!

Would i buy again?
Lush have come up trumps again, i already have some more of these waiting to be used. Gorgeous. I do love Lush and am rarely disappointed.

Outfit of the night!

Firstly thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post, it was a bit of a scare for us especially as bump is usually kicking away at me at night.

Phil was at work all day yesterday so i went out for lunch with my parents. I thought i'd dress up, it was quite sunny and warm(mostly!).

White nightie dress-Topshop Maternity, Mirror necklace-Topshop

Lilac platform heels-New Look

No bag, as i wasn't paying!

For those who said i was looking slim a few days ago, heres a photo taken earlier this week. From the side i'm looking pretty pregnant!

I'm 27 weeks and 2 days now according to the midwife, not long to go at all!

xxx

A mad dash to the birth centre!

We had a bit of a fright this morning. Bump has been very quiet over the last couple of days at first i wasn't worried but this morning decided to ring the midwives who wanted me to get straight down to the birth centre where i'm booked to have bump. It was a bit of a panic as i needed to get hold of Phil but didn't have his works number just his mobile. I managed to get hold of him and he was a total star, was here within 10 minutes and whisked me off.

We got to the birth centre and i was taken straight into a room to be examined and to have bumps heartbeat listened in to. There was a massive sigh of relief when his heartbeat came booming into the room, i was so happy i cried! To cut a very long story short she listened for a while and all seems to be fine and i've been told to rest which is difficult when you're up 3 times a night to have a wee! The reason he isn't moving is because he has moved into a funny position and i have something called anterior placenta which can also stop me feeling him all of the time. I am so reassured now and the birth centre is so lovely and homey, no doctors or drugs, all being well i can have him there rather then hospital.

Phew that was long! Now on a much lighter note, meet tonights meal, homemade pizza(i cheated by buying the base!). I'm also baking bread tonight, wish me luck!

xxxx

Two outfits

The weather is so weird. Sunday and Wednesday were lovely and sunny. Today is horrible and windy and showery. At least its warm. I've got two outfits from the last few days to post. Look how filthy my mirror is!

Mulberry velvet dress-Primark

Black bow bangle-Primark

Black bow shoes-Topshop

Black studded shoulder jumper-H&M, Black leggings-H&M

Jewelled leopard pumps-Oasis
Phils working tonight until half 8, so i'm going to have to amuse myself, a nice bath might be in order i think xxx

York

I thought I'd pop up some photos from our trip to York. For anyone who hasn't been York is a gorgeous place to go, its so pretty and i love the bustle and the shops :~)

The York Art Gallery

They are currently holding an exhibition on China
Me and Phil were both intrigued by this
Inside York Minster

It was so hard to get this picture, there were lots of annoying young girls going up and squealing at him!

Pretty!Cheesy! I'm so happy for Phil, he has been given a temporary promotion at work(possibly leading to permanent) so fingers crossed all goes well for him.

Has anyone else been to York? I know some of my followers live in Yorkshire too and i know a couple will be going to uni there. If you've never been i recommend it!

xxxxx

Shiny new things from York and Meadowhall

As promised here are the things I've been buying over the last few days.

This is also day 18 of the 30 day tag which is whatever tickles your fancy.

I didn't get much in York due to Barclays bank going down and me only having a certain amount of cash on me, it was probably a good thing though as i could have spent a fortune.

Firstly i got this necklace from a random little shop for £1, its wooden and i put it on as soon as i got it.

We went into Joy who had loads of sale stock in, Phil got a gorgeous top(he'd never even heard of Joy before so clearly I'm educating him!). I picked up this studded bag reduced for £45 to £13.50. Its huge inside and I'm considering it for a funky changing bag when i take bump out in his sling. Its much more funky then the one that came with our travel system.

And that was all from York!

On Sunday at meadowhall i spent a bit more! Theres a very definite Autumnal feel to the stock in the shops which is great, i love Autumn and the colours that are traditionally in fashion.

I needed a new mascara and wanted to try a new one so i went for MAC Opulash, hopefully I'll like it!

I grabbed this grey nail polish for £1.75 using my No.7 £5 off voucherI popped into H&M where my mum treated me to a couple more pairs of maternity leggings. They are so high waisted and unsexy but sooooo comfy.

Then we went onto Primark.

I got this grey frill sweatshirt, I've sized up so its long enough and big enough to cover my bump up. I'm not normally a sweatshirt girl but its perfect for just being at home.

Grey hat and bird pin, i love this hat SO MUCH!
I got some grey ribbed thick tights to replace my old ones and some really thick nude/greyish coloured tights.
Finally i got a couple of long black vests as none of mine cover my bump anymore, these are long enough to wear with leggings and good for layering as the weather cools. I got black

and nude.

Not the most exciting buys but I'm trying so hard not to buy lots of maternity clothes that will only be worn a few times.

Have you been buying anything exciting? xx

Day 16 and 17 - A song that makes you cry and art

Day 16 of the 30 day tag is a song that makes you cry.

Two that come to mind right away are Everybody Hurts-REM and Tears in Heaven-Eric Clapton. I love both of these songs and Tears in Heaven is especially poignant these days.

Day 17 is a piece of art

I'm not an art buff at all but while at uni i had a dalliance with an art student who was majorly into pop art and some of that rubbed off on me. Andy Warhol tends to be the first name that comes to mind so with that i give you Marilyn.

I have quite a collection of original prints from said student which i can't wait to display when i have the right home for them.

On the same subject i reccomend the film Factory Girl to anyone.

Do you like art? xxx

Ins and Outs

I've scheduled this post as Phil is off work until Wednesday and i know i won't get the chance to blog properly. I'm meant to be doing Day 15 of the tag today which is a fanfic but i have no idea what that is! So i'm going to do an Ins and Outs instead.

Ins
Baking, i've always loved baking and have found an avid audience in Phil who loves cake(and actually manages to lose weight despite eating loads). I made these yummy marble cupcakes this week with chocolate butter icing and chocolate and vanilla marshmallows.

Baby kicks, as i'm sitting here i'm being kicked from the inside like its an Olympic Sport. I love it now but in a few weeks in the middle of the night i might be praying for it to stop.

Out flat(ours is the brown door) its so nice and we have all the basics, now i'm just prettying it up.

Hair bows, i'm having a hair bow phase at the moment.

Flying Saucers, yum!

Outs

Rain, one minute is gorgeous and sunny, then i hang out the washing and it pours. Why? Missing my dogs, i might be loving the flat but i miss my dogs like mad. Their excitement when i go and see them makes me laugh, i'm not sure if its me they like or the treats i take them!

xxxxx

A long awaited outfit post!

Long time no outfits.

I'm easing myself back in with a nice simple outfit. I feel i'm getting into a bit of a rut as i can't wear alot of my clothes now and i don't want to spend a fortune on maternity things that won't be worn for long. Its not like i don't have alot to wear, but its not the same as being able to choose anything from your wardrobe! I guess i'm lucky that i've only put my weight on my bump(so far!) rather then all over so i can actually wear some of my clothes still.

This is from Friday.

Black skater dress-New Look, Black maternity leggings-H&M, Skinny black belt-H&M

Leopard scarf-Primark

Leopard jewelled pumps-Oasis(part of last years birthday present from my mum)
Me and Phil went to York yesterday and I've been to meadowhall with my mum today so i'll post outfit and haulage photos in the week xxx

Day 14 a non fiction book and nail of the day!

I've posted a book that i want to order for this one.

Not yet released its a biography of Coco Chanel written by Justine Picardie.

I'd also like to get another book by the same author titled My Mothers Wedding Dress:The Life and Afterlife of Clothes.

I've popped a nail of the day on, this is the nail polish i received last week in my giveaway win from Odd Socks and Pretty Frocks. Its a limited edition Barry M colour.

xxxx

Day 13, a fictional book

I thought i would just put on the book i'm reading at the moment. I got this free with a magazine, Glamour i think it was.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through and enjoying it, parts have made me laugh out loud which is always a good sign!

I'm sorry for the lack of outfit posts lately. I'm onto it!

Day 12, whatever tickles your fancy

I thought i'd do another foodie post for this. So here is Potatoes Boulangere, lovely served with mear(we had chicken).

The name of these(obviously French) is from when they were prepared in peoples homes and then they were taken along to the bakery for cooking.

You'll need(to make enough for 4)

1.75kg (3lb) floury potatoes

2 onions, finely sliced

600ml (1 pint) chicken stock

3 sprigs thyme

50g (2oz) butter

Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly. Grease an ovenproof dish and put a layer of potatoes on the bottom, then a layer of onions on top. Repeat with another layer of potatoes and onions and finish with a neat layer of potatoes. Pour over your stock and sprinkle with thyme. Dot with small pieces of butter and bake in the oven(200C) for 30 minutes.Take out cover with foil and bake for another 40 minutes. Remove the foil and insert a knife, the potatoes should be soft. Then pop the dish back into the oven and cook for a further 10 minutes until potatoes are golden.Me and Phil decided to add a little cheese to ours and let it melt in the oven for a couple of minutes and it was lovely.
Although it looks like it takes ages to make, its easy and you can just forgot about it once in the oven!

Day 11 a photo of me taken recently! Bump!!

Well i'm 25 weeks pregnant now and theres no mistaking that i am! For the last couple of days i've not been well and i've mainly been resting with a book. Baby is fine its just me, weird numbness and just feeling off :(

Each week i've been taking photo to track my bump, theres a section in the baby book i've got to put photos in, it'll be nice to look at afterwards. Also each week i get an email telling me what bump is upto, this week he is about 35cm long!

Heres me last week at 24 weeks looking huge!

I've posted some older ones to show how i've grown.

22 weeks

18 weeks

15 weeks

10 weeks, i look so small here!

We've nearly got everything now, i've been busy washing the clothes and bedding while the weather is nice ready for when he arrives. I'm pretty relaxed about the whole thing at the moment.

Its very weird being pregnant, everyone wants to ask you about it and people are so nice offering up seats and helping you pick things up from low down. I'm not even bothered about the putting weight on, i like my bump, i'd probably be more bothered if i'd put lots of weight on all over but i seem to have been fairly lucky so far!

I hope everyones had a fab weekend xx