Meow

 

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Belt - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - Topshop

Can't remember the last time I did an outfit post! This is actually the first leopard print thing I have worn ever, I'm not sure if it's awful and tacky or if I love it BECAUSE it's tacky (this is how I work with most things) but anyway, I love this dress and the shape. And it was only £18, and then I got 10% student discount on top of that. I'll be back soon with an April Instagram post (can't believe it's nearly May!). 

Get your bake on!

Why I haven't blogged in forever, in photos! Work work work, and loving it :)

Rainbow Connection Cupcakes!

My rainbow cake at Lily Pink Bakery has been a big hit, so I thought I'd try and see if I could make a more manageable, little version! I took the vanilla cupcake recipe I always use and adapted it slightly. I think they worked okay! They are very yummy indeed and I'm looking forward to selling them at St George's Market this Sunday :)

Recipe

110g unsalted butter, at room temperature

225g caster sugar, preferably golden

2 large eggs, free-range or organic

150g self-raising flour

125g plain flour

120ml semi-skimmed milk

1tsp good quality vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160deg C (fan)/180 deg C/350 deg F/gas mark 4.

2. Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until the mixture is pale and smooth. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing briefly after each addition. This can take a few minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure the mixture stays well combined.

3. Add the vanilla extract to the milk in a plastic measuring jug.

4. Combine the two flours in a separate bowl.

5. Add one-third of the flours to the combined butter and sugar mixture and beat well. Pour in one-third of the milk and beat again. Repeat these steps until all the flour and milk has been added.

6. Divide the mixture into six bowls (about 2.5 tablespoons of batter in each) and mix each of your colours with the batter. I use gel colours, you just can't achieve this bright effect with liquid colors. I got mine in a set from this ebay seller for around £15.

7. Carefully spoon one teaspoon of each colour into the cupcake case, one on top of the other. Don't attempt to spread the colour, just let the mixture do this naturally. Bake in the centre of the oven for approx 20 minutes. Check with a cake skewer in the centre of one of the cakes to see that they are cooked.

8. Leave in their tins for 10 minutes or so and then place carefully on a wire rack to cool. When completely cool, you can ice these cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing.

I added a little cream cheese to the buttercream to make it nice and white. I opted for no fancy decorations as I think the white is a nice contrast with the bright colours, but a little glitter dusted on livened them up!

I made some minis with the little batter that was left, I think they're really cute :)

p.s. is anyone else as sad as I am over Picnik closing? I hardly managed these without it :( Any recommendations for a similar service, or will I have to attempt Photoshop?

A month of Instagram: March 2012.

Only 10 days late! Sorry for the disappearance folks, business has really taken off and it's not left much time for blogging. Thank you so much for all of your comments on my last entry - I got into the top 3 (by votes) but unfortunately I wasn't picked by the judge to win. Oh well! I got a runner up prize which is going towards a new handbag hopefully. It meant so much that you all commented and voted, really thank you for every single vote! As I mentioned there, Lily Pink Bakery has taken up most of my time lately so that's the explanation for the many cupcakes in this post! Enjoy! x

Amazing trip to Dublin to see Florence and the Machine, so many memories I just love her so much. And pandas!

Rainbow Queens of Hearts cake for an event, Molly hating life, my fav shoes, piggies that reminded me of the awesome Ayden.

Cupcakes and a glass bowl for my mixer.

Fashion show, rabbit jigsaw piece, yummy smells, my flyers at Belfast City Hall.

My little niece, my Hermés scarf, flowers, Pip studio mug, magnet from my mum, shoes I forgot I had.

Molly, recoloured my hair, Topshop lipstick, dad on my microwave, myself, lemon dessert, my favourite Belfast saying on a keyring from Arbee Cards.

Brooch from the wonderful Gosh Darn It, Molly wanting food, peanut butter and nutella cupcakes.

My stickers, making decorations and cupcakes.

My beloved mixer, supplies for cocktail cupcakes, white russian cupcake, amazing lamp, Flo brooch, dress I got got my niece.

My rainbow cake at the market, new cake stand, stall with a new/old (vintage) tablecloth, vintage tea set I bought.

Pretty things at Refound Belfast, nails (never get painted now due to constant baking!), little monster in her tv trance.

My Mockingjay pin (so much love), making more decorations, mini cupcakes, an order ready.

Headkandi/Models Own polishes, Sushi, Jagerbombs (ouch), my face, Primark dress, Mr Whiskerson, See Mike Draw tee of wonder.

Triple layer caramel cake, cat eye liner, article in the Paper with me and my fellow traders.

My beautiful new baby niece Abbie, article in the paper about the blog/business, Easter cakes!

P.S. if anyone wants to follow me on Instagram send me a request through there, my username is french4cupcake