Happy Birthday to my little sister

My sister Katy is going to kill me for doing this and embarassing her, but I wanted to do a little post on her as she has just turned 16 and she helps me a lot with my blog, taking outfit photos and such. Actually her birthday was on the 2nd of October but she was only able to have her party this weekend. I made her a cake, I used the same victoria sponge recipe from this post but doubled it and used regal icing for the top. I painted the little owl with food colouring and edible glitter.









And just to embarass her further (as is my job as her big sister) some photos of Katy and I.





P.S. For anyone wondering about the edible glitter, I did a post on it here.

Shoes of dreams...

I read Jeffery Eugenide's The Virgin Suicides when I was fourteen. I was absolutely in love with the cover photo and searched everywhere for brown shoes like those. I think I managed to find a sort of similar pair of rip off kickers that slightly resembled the ones on the cover but they were really not that pretty.



So when I saw these shoes on Carrie's blog wishwishwish I fell in love right away. I'm on a totally strict budget though which means very little spending for me and these were really way out of my budget. Clearly I am ridiculously spoiled because they arrived on my doorstep this morning bought for me by my love. I feel so spoiled! They are ridiculously beautiful and the leather smells amazing.



Cardigan - A-wear
Top - Primark
Skirt - Topshop
Tights - Accessorize
Shoes - Topshop
Bag - Topshop
Necklace - Exhibit




It's really windy today, not exactly skirt weather unfortunately! Do you like the little owl? I went into Exhibit, a shop I would never usually go into, with my Sister and found it for just £3.







My sister usually takes my outfit photos for me but she doesn't get home from school until it is almost dark now, and I have lost the attatchment for my tripod so please excuse the photos if they are a bit scruffy.

If you haven't already please enter my giveaway! I will draw the winners one week from today, Tuesday 26th October.

Coconut and Pineapple cupcakes.

I made these yesterday and they were delicious so I thought I would share the recipe with you all, enjoy!

Ingredients:

120g plain flour
140g caster sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
a pinch of salt
40g unsalted butter, at room temperature
120ml coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
9 tinned pineapple rings, cut into small pieces
desiccated coconut, to decorate

Frosting ingredients:
250g icing sugar
80g unsalted butter, at room temperature
25ml coconut milk

Makes 12
Oven 170C/325F/GM3

1. Put flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter in a freestanding electric mixer with paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined.

2. Mix coconut milk and vanilla extract in a separate bowl, the beat into the flour mixture on medium speed until well combined. Add egg and beat well.

3. Divide chopped pineapple between paper cases. Spoon cupcake mixture on top until two-thirds full and bake in preheated oven for 20-25 mins, or until light golden and sponge bounces back when touched. Leave to cool slightly in tray before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting.
Beat the icing sugar ad butter together on medium/slow speed. Turn mixer down to slower speed and pour in coconut milk. Once all milk has been incorporated, turn mixer up to higher speed and continue beating until frosting is very white, light and fluffy (5-10mins).

When cupcakes are cold, spoon frosting on top and finish with a sprinkling of desiccated coconut.

From the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook.

Stray Jewellery | Beautiful, whimsical jewellery for magpies like me!

Hello lovelies, I have a bit of a treat for you today. I was so excited when I came across the website for Stray jewellery and I let out a little squeal when I saw that they were based out of my own little Belfast city. Stray specialise in all things cute, with a vintage section and a collection of wonderful illustrated items.



They have just added a whole load of new things to the shop and are offering a very generous 15% discount, just enter the code '2cute' at the checkout. They also very kindly offer free delivery to all UK and Ireland addresses!





The lovely owner (and fellow magpie) Julie was kind enough to send me two lovely necklaces. She knows my taste well, cameras and owls!



I felt a bit cheeky keeping both of the items so I thought I would offer the other up for one of my followers! If you selected, and I will use a random number generator, you will recieve this gorgeous little owl. Cheer him up and give him a home! You'll also recieve a special surprise gift along with it and some yummies, because no package is complete without something sweet. I will also be sending a surprise to Maria of Frills'n'Spills who was the winner of my last giveaway which Royal Mail LOST! Useless posties. I still wonder if there is Royal Mail worker wandering around in that amazing kitty cat necklace and knitting themselves scarves with the stitch'n'bitch book.

The giveaway is open to readers worldwide. All you have to do to enter is:
1. Be a follower of this blog
2. Tell me your favorite item from the Stray website.

Good luck!

Apple and cinnamon cupcakes with caramel buttercream...

I improvised with some apple cake recipies to make these. I hope you like them! They are perfect for autumn.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 175 g caster sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 85 g butter
• 75 ml milk
• 125 g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 1/4 tsp plain flour
• 1 bramley/cooking apple, finely chopped

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200C.
   
2. Whisk together the eggs, caster sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture is moouse like.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan with the milk then pour on to the egg mixture.
   
4. Sift in the flour and cinnamon and mix until there are no lumps.
5. Add the chopped apple and stir well.
6. Divide the mixture into cupcake cases and bake at 200C for 15-18 minutes.
7. Leave to cool before icing.

Frosting Ingredients:

• 150g butter
• 150g icing sugar
• 100g brown sugar
• a few tablespoons of milk.

Method:

1. Melt the butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan. Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved.
2. Pour mixture into a mixing bowl and using a mixer add the icing sugar gradually. Add milk as needed to acquire the desired consistency.
   
3. Spread over the cupcakes once they have cooled.

Autum colours

Just a quick outfit post, I'm heading out to the cinema now to see Made in Dagenham which I am really excited for. I am bringing my friend some apple and cinnamon cupcakes with caramel icing, I'll be sharing the recipe with you all soon!

I've been feeling totally bored with my wardrobe lately. I'm a full time Masters student and postgrads don't get any student loans so I am totally broke. I can only work so many hours a week because I have a lot of work to do for uni, it's rubbish. It means I have had to really cut down on my spending. I treated myself to this top yesterday as it was payday and 20% off for students, but that's my clothes shopping for the month. Depressing!

Blouse - New Look
Jeans - Dorothy Perkins
Belt - New Look
Boots - Evans
Rings - Topshop
Earrings - Accessorize

These rings are pretty dangerous looking, I love them though.

Blogger of the moment: Blargle Flargle

Hello all! I wanted to introduce you to my favorite blogger of the moment, Rai from Blargle Fargle.



Her blog is just what I love, high street fashion, cute artwork and lovely photos. I urge you to check her out! Her style is eclectic and sweet and she's also a talented lady!




Rai does little drawings, or 'Ragdolls' of people. They are unbelievably cute and wonderful value, for less than the price of a cup of coffee (or tea if you are anything like me and hate coffee/are a total tea fiend) you can get a little miniature version of yourself.

I asked Rai to include a cupcake, very appropriate

Rai was kind enough to gift me a little version of myself, isn't it sweet? I am using it as my facebook profile photo, I love it. You can order your own little ragdoll over at Rai's Folksy store. I hope you love her as much as I do!