The Hummingbird Bakery: Strawberry Cupcakes

I know I have my own cookery blog, but the cupcake is well and truly in vogue right now. Everyone wants them, and there even healthy vegetables ones available! So after a tough morning at university, I was sat in bed watching Julie and Julia for possibly the 10th time since I bought it on Thursday, and was like "get your ass out of bed and do something!". Which of course meant cooking, and the pink glowing spine of Cake Days by The Hummingbird Bakery was just waiting for me. This excellent birthday present from my dear friend Becky, had yet to be explored and my first venture from this book at their Strawberry Mini Cupcakes. 
YOU WILL NEED:
150g caster sugar
strawberries
40g unsalted butter (softened)
120 plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 large egg
120ml milk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence (I had none so I used vanilla powder) 
and for the icing
80g unsalted butter
250g icing sugar
4 tsp milk

• Preheat the over to 170C and lay out the cupcake cases
• Using a freestanding mixer, slowly mix together butter, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix until the mixture forms a breadcrumb like texture

• Whisk the egg, milk and vanilla in a jug. Slowly add this to the dry mixture until fully combined.

• Drop a few slices of strawberry into the bottom of each cupcake case. Then spoon over enough mixture to fill 2/3rds of the case. Bake these for 15 mins

• Allow these to cool completely before icing. For the icing whisk together the butter and icing sugar slowly. Then add the milk and whisk until smooth.

• Add sprinkles to the mixture to give it some crunch, and evenly spread over each cupcake

• Add sprinkles to the top and ENJOY!

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Avon Skin So Soft: Satin Glow Firming Body Moisturiser

Hello everyone!
I am looking forward to my May holiday with my boyfriend and friends from Newcastle so much! I have been preparing for a while, making sure I am in tip-top condition for the beach. I have been exercising and eating healthily to maintain my shape and have started using a new firming body moisturiser with a fab extra.

The Avon Skin So Soft: Satin Glow Firming Body Moisturiser is really a beautiful product. The cream applies easily and isn't too thick or watery. Neither is it wasteful, and sinks into the skin within a few moments, but it easy to spread out. The tanner is really subtle and -so far- I am not orange. Being fair skinned can make using tanners and gradual tan builders really difficult, as the slightest change in your skin tone makes you look like a clementine!


My only complaint would be that the cream stinks really badly! If only for about 30 minutes, I would recommend applying after showering and letting the smell die off over night, as it is really strong. Aside from that I would definitely say give it a go. You can purchase this from any Avon rep or from their website.

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OOTD: Florals and Perfect Skin

 Earrings by George. FACE: L'Oreal Perfect Match (C1), MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (Light Medium) No7 Shine Free Primer, MAC Sheertone Blush (Tenderling) EYES: All About Face eyeshadow (Buttermilk) Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner (100% Black), No7 Exquisite Lashes (Black)

 Hair has been straightened using the GOLD by Babyliss Straightening Iron. Necklace by Tiffany's.

Playsuit from F+F. Flats by Topshop. Bangles from Topshop. 

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A New Addition to Stylist

I have been reading Stylist magazine since I moved to London in September. The weekly publication comes out every Thursday morning, and you can pick it up at your tube station. The editor in chief is Susan Riley, and my favourite writer (whom is only a contributing editor) is Lucy Mangam. She is a real inspiration for my writing as she is knowledgeable and hilarious!

This week Stylist magazine has launched their online sister 'magazine'- Emerald Street. This website can be tailored to your specific interests, including fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel, television ect ect. You can set your location so Emerald Street can update you on events in your area. So as I live in London, Emerald Street sends me weekly email updates, and provides info on daily events in London and the surrounding area.

So sign up, and tailor the magazine to what you want to read! 
http://www.emeraldstreet.com/

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The Royal Wedding: Bride's Gown by Sarah Burton

Possibly the most beautiful wedding gown I have ever seen by Sarah Burton at the house of Alexander McQueen. I want this style gown when I get married. The combination of lace, silk and satin is just exquisite. A truely amazing day for British fashion. 

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Face Thursday: A New Series!

Hi everyone!
Apologies for being a little MIA over the last week. I've been pulling 10 hour shifts every day since Sunday, and Alex has been back in Oxford so my time has been a little pulled in every direction. However, I have the pleasure of introducing a new series to you today. The name may be changed because what I chose sounds a bit rubbish!

FACE THURSDAY

If you have read this blog, or watched videos on my Youtube channel you will know that I have been battling my skin problems for a very long time.  Since I was 14 years old I have been dealing with spots, blemishes, black heads and discoloration. In the last year I have added dark under-eyes to the growing list of problems with my skin. Now, someone who has perfect skin may think "well you shouldn't care how your skin looks" or the famous one; "it's about inner beauty". Anyone who says that has no idea what having bad skin makes you FEEL. Having 'bad' skin makes you feel depressed, unmotivated and often shy. I am lucky to have natural confidence, but my skin is the one thing that really makes me go into a shell. 

I wear a full face of make up (minus liquid foundation) everyday in the effort to cover the damaged goods, whilst using treatments underneath. I have washed my face twice a day with spot treating face scrubs, lotions, cream washes, gel washes, foam washes and everything in-between and seen little improvement. I have used every cleanser, clarifying lotion and perfecter mentionable. I have branched into high end products from Clinique and Laura Mercier, and seen no difference from the effects of drug store products such as Clean and Clear and L'Oreal. I have used hundreds of different brands when it comes to spot gels, or direct treatments. From Dr Nick Lowe (avoid at all costs), Clean and Clear and now Clinique and have found these just irritate my skin further.

I have honestly reached a point of serious depression with my skin. I wake up and think 'what's the point? I use all these products, spend lots of money and often endure pain and for what? For nothing'. I work in an industry that is constantly judging you on your appearance. And as a woman, you are naturally judged on your appearance. Being brainy is no longer enough, being the top student isn't good enough anymore.

I have decided to take pretty drastic steps and have my skin medically treated. I am really scared but I feel this is the best thing for me. At 19 years old I shouldn't be so miserable from the condition of my skin. And I want to take you on my journey. I want anyone out there who has the smallest pimple to full on acne to feel they can relate to me, and I will show you everything I find and share everything I do on this journey.

I look forward to working on this series. Please post your stories below or write to me personally. With love, and hope!

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My Favourite Vegan Foods

Oh how Youtube delights in giving me quite possibly the worst cover image for my videos! This film is about three of my favourite Vegan foods, that I continue to eat even when I am not being Vegan. They are good replacements for dairy products, as meat isn't a problem for me to cut out; milk and yogurt however are such staples in my nutrition that before finding these products I did struggle to remove them. Enjoy watching! For more food related posts, restaurant reviews and recipes visit my food blog here. Love,

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