The haul that was meant to be!

Hi guys, just a quick post to show you a couple of bits that I've picked up for myself. I've had a few days off work with the bf, and today he had to go back to work so I was on my own. And what do I do best? Shop, shop, shop!

It was sunny again so I wore my fluoro Cambridge Satchel.

Tshirt from Zara. Levis jeans.

Nike Free Run 2.

Same jewellery and nails as my previous post.

And here's what I picked up!

My new phone case arrived today and I love it, little pooch. :)

Now, this is called the haul that was meant to be because, simply, everything I went in for, I found...and most things I picked up were the last ones in the shop.

From H&M I grabbed this silver chain necklace and simple band rings.

I also bought a couple of packs of cross earrings from Primark, since they were only a pound.

I went into Primark especially for these sandals. I saw two pairs hanging on the bottom rail of all the other sandals, one was a size 8 and the others didn't have a size tag on...and this never happens to be but lo and behold they were in my size! Hurrayyy!

I'm also embracing the sports-luxe trend and saw a navy, red and white part mesh tshirt which I picked up originally, wishing dearly that it would be in plain black instead. Lo and behold AGAIN, I walk round the rack and find this little beauty...

I then went to have a cheeky peek in TKMaxx and saw these neon nail polishes. At £3.99 for four, I thought they were a bit of a bargain and since I've been looking for a fluoro yellow for yonks, I decided to give them a go.

I've also been wanting some Superga pumps for ages. Ideally I'd have a plain white/black pair, but I saw these in my size and grabbed them straight away. I'm still not sure if I can pull them off, so they may be going back, what do you think?

Hope you're all well!

x

Formby Point Squirrel Reserve

For our six year anniversary, the bf and I decided to go for a little trip to Formby Point to see some squirrels. (Watch out, don't get too excited!)

Formby Point and Squirrel Reserve is alovely little (massive) place to visit. When we were there it was quiet and peaceful, aside from the crows and the odd group or two of school children on a coach trip.

We only saw one squirrel, however - but had a really nice time regardless.

Fluoro Cambridge Satchel.

Striped basic top and faux leather shorts from Zara.

Ring from Fashionology.nl

Shellac Cream Puff with pearlescent glitter on my nails.

Links of London Skull and double wrap friendship bracelets.

Mini Casio watch.

Pandora double wrap bracelet.

Nike iD Free Run 2 sneaks.

We found some wooden tipis.

And a rabbit!

See you soon!

x

Woof woof!

Ordered.

As you may well know, I'm definitely a cat person. However, when I saw this little doggy on sale at Net-A-Porter, I couldn't resist.

I've been in the market for a new phone case for a while since I dropped and smashed my current one (as well as putting a lovely crack in the phone itself!)

You can find it here, if you're interested.

OOTN - Ben Howard Gig

Hi guys!

On Tuesday I went to see the singer, Ben Howard and wanted to share with you what I wore.

Boxy shirt from Primark.

Skinny jeans from Topshop.

MAC "Embrace Me" lip pencil with MAC Candy-Yum-Yum lipstick over the top.

Barry M nail varnish in Blueberry.

Gold chain necklace from H&M.

Studded bum-bag from Primark.

Michael Kors rose gold watch.

...and a gig must, trusty old Converse trainers.

If you haven't heard of Ben Howard, here's one of my favourite songs by him...give it a listen, maybe?

xx

Summer

Happy (couple of days of) Summer!

I spent the day walking with mum on Sunday and unfortunately got mega sunburn on my shoulders and back - wear sunscreen, girls!

Here's a couple of summery photos I took whilst in our local park. 

<3

x

How to: Ultimate "Devil's Food" Chocolate Cake

Hi guys, today was one of those days where I needed some (ok, a lot) of chocolatey goodness.

I happened to be watching Nigella Lawson on television yesterday and saw her make a Devil's Food Cake and I thought I'd give it a go myself.

What you need for the cake:

50g cocoa powder

100g dark muscovado sugar

125g unsalted butter

150g caster sugar

225g plain flower

baking powder and bicarbonate of soda

vanilla extract

2 eggs

water

What you need for the frosting:

30g dark muscovado sugar

175g unsalted butter

300g dark chocolate

water

Firstly, preheat your oven to 180°C/Gas mark 4/350°F.

Put your cocoa powder and muscovado sugar into a container, boil the kettle and pour in 250ml (one cup full) of boiling water in with it. 

Mix together and set aside for later.

Make sure your butter is soft, and cream together with the caster sugar.

Add a few glugs of vanilla essence, half a teaspoon of bicarb and half a teaspoon of baking powder.

Then crack in one egg and pour in half of your flour. Mix it all together and then add the second egg and the remaining flour.

Once mixed, add in the chocolatey concoction you set aside earlier.

The consistency is very runny...don't worry!

Pour your cake mix equally into two greased cake tins. Mine are about 7/8inches diameter.

Put your cakes into your preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Now we can move onto the frosting.

In a pan add 125ml water (half a cup), the butter and muscovado sugar. Turn on a low heat and allow the butter to melt and combine.

When the mixture starts to bubble slightly, add in your chocolate. It's best to chop it up finely so it melts quickly. Take the mixture off the heat.

Once the chocolate has melted, whisk until it's smooth and glossy. Allow to cool and thicken up. This can take a good hour or more.

After 30 minutes in the oven, your cakes should be done! Leave them on a wire rack for about ten minutes to cool slightly before turning them out of their tins.

Once your cakes have cooled, turn one upside down on your cake stand/plate.

Pour on a few dollops of your frosting mix and then place the second cake on top.

My frosting mixture had stood for over an hour and was still too runny as you can see in the picture above, so I decided to pop it into the freezer for another half an hour or so and it hardened up perfectly.

Spread the remaining mixture over the cake and round the sides.

And you're done!

Rich, chocolatey, gooey heaven.

Enjoy!

x