Recipe | First attempt at Macarons

Okay, so can I just say that I am well aware that these do not look anything at all like Macarons! And they do not taste like them either, haha. But for a first attempt I guess they're okay. I will definitely work on it, and next time I will use a proper Macaron mould as this time I just did it freehand and it didn't work. Also, I didn't use ground almonds because I didn't have any so that's probably why they taste like a meringue more than Macarons. But in any case I thought I would share the recipe with you anyways so you can give them a try! :) I was under the impression that Macarons were really really difficult to make but I found this recipe really quick and simple, even though they didn't turn out to look the way they should, I blame that on the lack of a mould! 

Ingredients:

4 egg whites

70g castor sugar

120g icing sugar, sifted

chocolate spread

Method:

1. Whisk together the egg whites and castor sugar until stiff. You should be able to hold your bowl upside down and the mixture shouldn't move. Go on hold it over your head, I dare you!

2. Add any desired food colouring paste. I used pink but definitely not enough as it didn't show up at all once cooked.

3. Gently fold in the icing sugar. 

4. Pour the mixture into a piping bag or ziplock bag with the corner cut out and pipe circles onto none stick baking paper.

5. Bake at 150 degrees celcius for approximately 20 minutes until the Macarons feel firm and are slightly risen.

6. Leave to cool on the paper and then carefully peel off.

7. Pair similar sized Macarons and add your filling, I used chocolate spread but you can really use anything you like :)

I hope you try this recipe out and enjoy it! I would definitely recommend getting the Macaron mould though, as you can see it didn't work too well for me without one!

Theology Thursday..

Cheeky Little Purchase

So I definitely needed some new foundation as I used the last of my Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation and all the other foundations I have seem to be too orange for my face. I have read a lot about the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation. I had read that it is really moisturising for dry skin, and that's definitely what I need. I used it this morning and so far I am extremely impressed with it. I know you can't really get a good idea about something from just one use but I just found that it made my skin look really fresh and hydrated and it stayed on really nicely all day. Also, I find it difficult to find a foundation that is the right colour for my skin and this one seems to be the perfect shade for me. Even my husband mentioned this morning that my makeup looks really natural today 'well done' he said, haha! So all in all first impressions of this foundation are good!

In Boots at the minute they have 2 for £14 across all Bourjois cosmetics so really why wouldn't I get something else when the foundation was £9.99 on its own so I'd only be paying an extra £4.01 for something worth far more! I really didn't need this bronzer as my Dior one does the job just nicely, however its shaped like a bar of chocolate, it smells like chocolate and to be quite honest I couldn't resist. I have read mixed reviews on this product and I have only used it once. I liked the way it went on but I think I need a little longer to judge how I get on with it, so I shall be sure to let you all know!

So that's it for my cheeky little relevant/none relevant purchase, let me know what you all have been buying :)

Recipe | Zesty Lemon Cupcakes

Hi guys! Surprise surprise I have been baking again! Today I have made some yummy zesty lemon cupcakes. I was browsing through Zoella's YouTube videos and came across this one that she did for Mums Eye View and thought that I would give it a go. The recipe is actually an Asda one, so really easy to follow and very simple. You should all give this recipe a go, because its so simple and so tasty none of you have an excuse not to! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yv_c8ayf8s

http://recipes.asda.com/Recipes/zesty-lemon-cupcakes

What you will need:

125g self raising flour

1 level tsp baking powder

125g butter, softened

125g castor sugar

2 large free-range eggs

226g icing sugar

1 unwaxed lemon (I used Jif lemon juice)

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Line a 12-hole bun tray with cupcake cases (not fairy cake or muffin cases). Sift the flour and baking powder together into a large bowl. It's important to measure the baking powder accurately – use a measuring spoon and run your finger across the top to ensure that it's level.

2. Make sure the butter is soft (a bit like mayonnaise) but not melted. Add the butter, sugar and eggs to the flour.

3. Add the finely grated zest of an unwaxed lemon and beat with a wooden spoon until well mixed (I used an electric whisk as I don't have substantial muscles to stand and beat it!). Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula and beat again for 1 minute.

4. Put the mixture in the paper cases, making sure they're all about the same size. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Cool on a wire rack.

5. Make the glace icing by sifting 225g icing sugar into a bowl and add 6 tsp lemon juice. Stir and add another 1-2 tsp lemon juice, a few drops at a time, until you have an icing that will coat the tops of the cupcakes. Use a spoon to add the icing to the cupcakes.

6. Decorate with finely shredded lemon zest. (I used other fun stuff to decorate)

Can we please just take a moment to appreciate how cute these cupcake stands are!!

Handy tip: I found that the icing was a bit too solid to spread over my cupcakes so if you wet a knife and use that to spread the icing over the cupcake it softens the icing and makes it much easier!

Theology Thursday..

Double Trouble | Recipes

And by double trouble, I mean double trouble for my hips! I've been baking again and I never think of the effects it has on my waistline I just love baking! I've made a three tier chocolate cake (PHWOAR!) and what were supposed to be cookies but look more like big blobs of chocolate (or more like something naughty a dog does). Maybe I will leave it for other people to eat.....maybe! 

As always, I thought I would share the recipes with you so you can give them a go if you like :) 

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

For the sponge:

225g self-raising flour, sifted

225g margarine, softened

225g castor sugar

55g cocoa powder

4 large eggs

55ml whole milk (I'm a rebel and used semi-skimmed)

a pinch of salt

For the icing:

350g unsalted butter

250g icing sugar

200g good-quality dark chocolate, chopped (I used cocoa powder)

1 tsp vanilla essence

1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius (150 for fan oven). Grease and line three 7" cake tins with greaseproof paper. Prepare and measure all the ingredients.

2. Combine all the ingredients for the sponge and beat together for 2-3 minutes until smooth.

3. Divide the batter evenly between the 3 tins and bake for 20 minutes until risen. Remove from the oven and let the sponges cool in their tins for 10 minutes. 

4. Turn out onto wire racks to finish cooling; peel away any paper that is stuck to their bases.

5. Melt the icing chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted, then remove from the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.

6. Beat the ingredients for the icing in a bowl until fluffy. Add the chocolate and stir until smooth. Place one sponge on a plate and spread a third of the icing on top. Sandwich the second sponge on top and spread the top with half the remaining icing. Sit the final sponge on top and spread the remaining icing on top.

I then decorated mine with heart haribos and because I had baked this cake for my husband I used fondant balls to write I Love You because I do love my husband :) 

DELICIOUS!

Cookies (Lumps of chocolate)

Ingredients:

110g plain flour, sifted

75g unsalted butter, chilled

55g icing sugar

55g cocoa powder, sifted

110g dark chocolate chips (Asda was sold out so I used chocolate buttons)

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt

1. Measure and prepare all of the ingredients. Combine together the icing sugar, cocoa powder, flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.

2. Rub the butter into this mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. 

3. Add the egg, dark chocolate chips and vanilla extract and mix until a stiff dough forms.

4. Gather up and roll into a sausage shape with a diameter of 8-10cm. Wrap in greaseproof paper and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. (I completely missed out this step so maybe that's why my cookies didn't really work haha)

5. Grease and line 2 trays with greaseproof paper. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (160 for fan oven). Use a cutter to cut out 1cm thick cookies from the dough. Arrange on the trays and bake for 12-14 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool further. 

Perks of the Job!

You should all know by now that I am an Avon Representative in my spare time, and if you don't know then you obviously don't read my blog enough, and I'm offended! Only kidding, but I am a Representative for Avon and every so often I get phone calls with amazing offers that I simply cannot refuse! So I got a call last week asking me if I would like to be sent all the brand new releases for only £15! Well, of course I said yes straight away, in fact I think I actually shouted YES! down the phone. Oh, shame! Ten brand new products for only £15 is not something I was willing to pass up on! If I had bought all these products separately it would have cost me £40, so I got them all for better than half price. I love my job!

So what did I get in this amazing deal?

- Pink Cosmetics Bag

- SuperShock Brights Mascara in Boldest Black

- SuperShock Vivid Liquid Eyeshadow in Glistening Teal

- Glimmersticks Brights Eyeliner in Cobalt Cool

- Nailwear Pro+ in Naked Truth

- Sprinkle Nails in Pink Confetti and Purple Confetti

- Trendy Toes Nail Design Strips in Summer Fun

- Nail Art Design Strips in Sun Worshipper

- French Manicure Nail Tips

I was so excited to receive these and I couldn't believe the price I was offered for them, a total bargain. I love it!! 

£1 Argan Oil Haircare

Yes, you did read that correct! This Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner were a whopping £1 each from Asda. 

I've seen these in Asda for quite a while but never picked them up because I thought for £1 they can't be that good. But last week, I decided to just go for it. For £1 I hardly broke the bank, so if they weren't very good I wasn't that bothered. 

However, I have well and truly been proven wrong. I love these products! They not only smell divine, but they leave my hair feeling so soft and luxurious its amazing. I always have trouble finding shampoo and conditioner that seem to work with my hair as I do have bleach through my hair and it is in quite bad condition, so I find that after I have washed it, it goes very tatty and dry. This shampoo and conditioner leaves my hair so soft that the brush just glides through it easily. The tats are gone! 

Goodbye to the pain and eye watering that brushing my hair usually brings. Good one, Asda. I salute you! 

What haircare do you use for dry, damaged hair?

Northumberland Day Trip | Alnwick - Grannies Tea Room

Me and my husband have not had a weekend off together in I don't know how long! So we decided to take a drive up to Alnwick for a little look round and for some lunch. It was a lovely day (until it started raining) and the little tea room we found was adorable! Here are a few of the photos we took.. 

My panini was bigger than my head!

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Haul

Hello my gorgeous people! I've done it again, I've had a little bit of a naughty spend. I am really trying hard to look after my money lately, but sometimes I just can't help myself. I've always been bad with money and if I want something I just go ahead and get it, not thinking of the consequences. I know, I'm terrible! 

I don't feel TOO bad about these purchases because two of them I have had my eye on for ages and that's the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Peach Club. I got this from Boots for £8.99. I've wanted one of these for a while because I've really been on the hunt for a lipstick that will stay put all day and this really does that, even after eating which is great. I also bought the Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Sugar Apple from Superdrug for £3.99. I LOVE this colour, its so bright and summery and let's be honest we are not getting much of a summer at the minute, so I've decided to let my nails be the summer!

Next, I went to The Body Shop. When I say to my husband 'ooo let's go into The Body Shop' I always get the same eye-roll 'you're not spending loads' line! But it never ever stops me. I went in originally to have a look for the Blueberry body butter but I ended up buying the Olive one instead because I much preferred it. I mean let's be honest, I probably have enough body butter in my bathroom to last me the rest of my life but this was £5! They're usually £13 so I was super duper excited that they were reduced, I almost bought two but I was a very good beauty blogger and only bought the one. Yep, I deserve some sort of medal for that! I also bought from The Body Shop this Colour Crush eyeshadow in Melt My Heart. I really love the eyehshadows from The Body Shop, and this goldy brown colour is definitely one I would wear every day so well worth the £7 it cost.

So that's my naughty little haul for the week, no doubt there will be another next week. 

I HAVE NO RESTRAINT!

TMI Tag

1. What are you wearing?
At this current moment, my pyjamas!

2. Ever been in love?
Yes, I'm in love right now with best friend and husband <3

3. Every had a terrible breakup?
I thought it was at the time, but now I look back on it, it really wasn't that bad.

4. How tall are you?
Probably about 5'2"

5. How much do you weigh?
I haven't weighed myself in ages but the last time I did I was 149lbs.

6: Any tattoos?
I have an M with a star on my wrist in memory of my baby sister. I also have a bird on my rib cage with 'Love guides me home' which I got to signify my relationship with my mam because she lives 3 hours away and I always end up going back to her. She's my best friend :) I also have 5 stars on my ribs next to the bird for all my brothers and sisters. Finally I have John 3:16 on my back.

7: Any piercings?
I have my ears pierced twice but I think the second hole has closed up now. I did add two more holes to my right ear when I was younger, I did it myself with a sewing needle and of course it got horribly infected! I also had my belly button done which got infected so I had to take it out. I seem like a really horribly infected person but I promise I'm clean! I also had my nose done when I was 16 but then I got a job in Burger King and they made me take it out. Probably for the best!

8: OTP?
I don't watch Eastenders anymore but when I did I was always rooting for Kat and Alfie to get back together! They are just made for each other, even though its not real!

9: Favorite show?

I have quite a few favourite shows at the minute including, Cold Justice, Gypsy Brides US, The Charlotte Crosby Experience and Catfish.

10: Favorite bands?

I really love Hillsong and Chris Tomlin at the minute :) 

11: Something you miss? 

Probably a one that everyone would say, being in High School. I made some great memories, and it was just a time of no worries or responsibilities! I would love to go back to the simple days.

12: Favorite song?

I really love John Legend - All Of Me

13: How old are you?

I'm 21

14: Zodiac sign?

I don't believe in these but I am Aquarius.

15: Quality you look for in a partner?

Someone who is funny, caring, weird like me and who I can be completely comfortable around. I hate feeling awkward around people and I always try my hardest to make people feel comfortable around me so I like it when people do the same thing for me :) 

16: Favorite Quote?

Everything will be okay in the end, if its not okay; its not the end.

17: Favorite actor?

When I was younger I was completely in love with Leonardo DiCaprio, like to the point it would depress me that I would never meet him! I know, how sad.

18: Favorite color?

I love the colour coral. Just anything coral; clothes, shoes, lipsticks!

19: Loud music or soft?

When I'm cleaning and doing housework I like my music loud, but when I'm just chilling out I prefer it soft and more like background music.

20: Where do you go when you’re sad?

When I'm feeling sad I usually just put myself to bed so I don't bring other people down too!

21: How long does it take you to shower?

If I'm washing my hair it'll take me about 15 minutes but otherwise, probably only about 5 minutes. I prefer long hot baths and short showers. 

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Anywhere between half an hour and 45 minutes, depending on where I'm going. 

23: Ever been in a physical fight?

I don't think I have, I'm quite a wimp so if it came down to it I would just lie in a heap on the floor crying haha! 

24: Turn on?

My husband :) 

25: Turn off?

Smoking and bad breath!

26: The reason I joined Youtube?

Well since this isn't YouTube I will change it to the reason I started blogging. It just sort of came to me one day, I had been reading blogs for a while and watching YouTube channels when I thought I could probably start a blog, so I did! I don't think I would ever start a YouTube channel because I have a Geordie accent and I think it sounds awful on camera!

27: Fears?

This is a really strange one, but blimps. Those huge balloons in the sky that they use to advertise stuff. I just can't, like seriously they make me feel like I'm about to have a panic attack! There was one time I was walking to the bus stop on the way to college and they was one that was lowered right to the ground and I had to walk past it with my hand covering my eyes. Just thinking about it now is making me panicky :( 

28: Last thing that made you cry?

I watched a YouTube video earlier where the person read out a poem about a women finding it difficult to conceive and it made me cry. 

29: Last time you said you loved someone?

Earlier on to my husband :) 

30: Meaning behind your YouTube Name?

Again, I will change this to my blogging name. I am a housewife, and I like to indulge myself every now and then, and that's mostly what I share on my blog; my indulgences. 

31: Last book you read?

The last book I read was Acts of the Apostles in the Bible :) 

32: The book you’re currently reading?

I'm in the middle of reading Danielle Steele - Until the end of time. She is my favourite author and my husband surprised me with this book last month, he's such a cutie! 

33: Last show you watched?

Gypsy Brides USA 

34: Last person you talked to?

My husband who is sat right next to me :)

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?

He is my husband!

36: Favorite food?

Pizza, hands down!

37: Place you want to visit?

There's lots of places I want to visit. At the minute its mainly America, I'm desperate to go shopping in Target or Wallmart.

38: Last place you were?

My sofa, and I'm still there! 

39: Do you have a crush?

Nobody other than my husband of course! 

40: Last time you kissed someone?

Earlier on when my husband came home from work. 

41: Last time you were insulted?

I can't remember actually, I don't get insulted a lot!

42: Favorite flavor of sweet?

Chocolate!

43: What instruments do you play?

I don't play any instruments, I tried when I was younger but was never any good at it.

44: Favorite piece of jewelery?

My engagement ring and my diamond necklace both off my husband.

45: Last sport you played?

Don't be silly, I don't play sport. Unless shopping counts as a sport, in which case, shopping!

46: Last song you sang?

Probably Justin Timberlake this morning when I was doing housework.

47: Favorite chat up line?

I don't really have a favourite chat up line haha.

48: Have you ever used it?

See above!

49: Last time you hung out with anyone?

Right now with my husband :) 

50: Who should answer these questions next?

I tag: 

Cristina

Charlotte

Gemma

Ella Grace

Abby

Click here for the list of questions.

Theology Thursday..

The Lazy Girls Skincare Routine

When it comes to skincare I have a love/hate relationship. I love the results a strict regime brings, but I hate the effort. At the end of a long day, there's nothing I want to do more that climb straight in to bed with a face full of makeup and care not until the morning. But for many reasons I can't do that. First off, sleeping in your makeup is disgusting. Secondly, I once heard that every night you sleep in your makeup your skin ages seven days. Now I'm not sure how true that is but I sure don't want to test it! 

My skincare routine can definitely be described as the lazy girl routine. I do very little. I don't cleanse or tone. Horrible, I know! But I just can't be bothered. You wouldn't think that I'm a trained beauty therapist would you! I have extremely dry and dehydrated skin so I just find that the more products I put on my face, makes it all the more dry. 

So here is what I do and use..

First of all, to take off my makeup I use the Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising face wash. I really like this product because its kind to skin, and has no soap in it whatsoever so it doesn't dry my skin out. 

Next, I use my Dermatological Cetraben Emollient Cream. I got this from my doctor as I have eczema on my neck and chest, and he said that I can use this as a moisturising face wash too. 

Then, I have two exfoliators. I use the St Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating exfoliator once a week as this is a much harsher scrub than the Botanics Purifying Face Scrub which I use every morning before I put my makeup on to get rid of all the dead skin cells that cause my makeup to go patchy.

Finally for moisturising I have two that I use. Every morning I will apply some of this Clean & Clear Dual Action moisturiser. Most nights I will also apply this but some nights when my face just needs a little extra I will apply some of my Rescue Oil as my skin is very dry, dehydrated and blemished and this oil really helps with that! I don't use this very often as I don't like the feeling of the oil on my face but when I do use this I can really see the results after just one night! It's actually a really great product and was so cheap. I also use the T-Zone Rapid Action Spot Zapping Gel on my spots when I have a breakout.

So there's my lazy girl skincare routine! Please don't judge me, I'm just lazy ;)

Choco Bites Recipe

I love baking so much, and there's nothing I love more than whipping something up spur of the moment so its crucial for me to always keep my cupboards stocked up with all my baking essentials! Today I've made some Choco Bites, they were so quick and easy to make and pretty much everything you'll need will be in your cupboards! I got this recipe from Chantelle over at The Girl In The Tartan Scarf. I love her blog, so you should definitely check her out :)

Here's the recipe..

Ingredients:
150g Butter
150g Caster Sugar
2 Eggs
1/2 tbsp Milk
1/2 tbsp Golden Syrup
75g Cocoa Powder
75g Self Raising Flour
100g Milk Chocolate, Walnuts, Icing Sugar or any toppings you like! (I used chocolate spread as I didn't have any chocolate in the house, for once!)

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (gas mark 4).
2. Cream butter (left at room temperature) and sugar.

3. Add the eggs, milk and golden syrup and whisk.
4. Sift the flour and cocoa powder and fold it in.
5. Line tin with dampened baking paper and pour mixture in.
6. Bake for 25-30 mins until risen but still should feel moist.
7. Once ready, leave to cool.
8. Melt the chocolate. (I used chocolate spread)
9.Slice your cake into mini slices and dip into the melted chocolate.
10. Sprinkle with your chosen toppings!
11. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

This has to be one of the easiest recipes I have ever done! Have fun :)

Shower OCD

I sometimes find it fun to co-ordinate my bathroom for when I'm in the bath and shower. Yes, I am a complete freak. You should be used to this by now ;)

Here are a few examples of my Shower OCD...

Avon Strawberry Sorbet bubble bath, SuperDrug Strawberry & Raspberry shower gel, Alberto Balsam Raspberry shampoo, The Body Shop Strawberry body butter.

The Body Shop Coconut Cream body scrub, Nivea Creme Coconut shower cream and The Body Shop Coconut body butter.

Radox Relax shower gel, Avon Blackberries & Vanilla bubble bath and The Body Shop Passion Fruit body butter.

Do you like to couple your shower products according to scent or colour, or is it just me?

Life's Big Questions...

To cut my hair short again, or keep growing it... What do you lovely people think? Help me decide..

Short hair

Long hair

May Favourites

I honestly can't believe that it is June already. Talk about this year flying over, it is 206 days until Christmas. Yeah I know, crazy! So because its June, we all know what that means! May favourites time, hoorah. Here are the products I have been loving in May.

First off we'll start with my Avon Gel Finish. I bought a couple of colours from this range and I love them, I think they're really good for not chipping. The colour I have here is Dazzle Pink and I find that this is really lovely to wear for work when you want something not quite nude but not too in your face.

Next is the Skin Wow Highlighter from Seventeen. I mix this with my moisturiser and apply it as a primer. I find that I can't wear a proper makeup primer as they dry my skin out even more than it already is so I have to wear moisturiser under my foundation and this highlighter makes my skin appear bright and healthy, just what my skin needs at the minute with all this dull weather we've been having!

Next is a body spray from Avon in the scent Incandessence. I really love this smell and its great for using before work when I want to make sure I stay smelling delightful all day long!

On to my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I can't even tell you how much I have been loving the Real Techniques range at the minute, especially this buffing brush. Its great for buffing in foundation and I also use it for buffing down my blusher if its too bright and for making sure my concealer is buffed right in also.

Another product I wanted to include in my May Favourites is my Dolce & Gabbana 3 L'Impératrice perfume. I got this for my birthday in February off my sister in laws and I really adore the smell, but for some reason I stopped wearing perfume all together but recently have started wearing it again, and I find every morning I reach for this perfume above all my others.

Another May Favourite has been my Avon Cocoa Butter Hand Cream. As I've mentioned in previous posts I get horrible dry skin, especially on my hands and my go to hand cream of this month has been the cocoa butter because it smells so delicious!

Finally, is a little something for my dry lips. The Body Shop's Born Lippy in Raspberry. Not only does this smell gorgeous but it really helps with my dry lips and I have definitely noticed a difference since I have been using this.

So that's it for May. I can't believe its over already! Here's to going on to June and hopefully some much nicer weather! xx