All Loved Up

I love today, it's love day! I have had the best day so far, and all my treats for Andy worked out amazingly so I thought I'd share the photos with you all.

Breakfast was heart shaped pancakes and this arrangement of letters which I achieved by using an empty tomato ketchup bottle filled with pancake batter. So fun and there were so many other things I could have designed and made into pancakes!
Andy actually doesn't like pancakes (I know!) so I made him eggs florentine instead but he gobbled it all up before I could snap a photo. Tasted good though!

Here are the jammy love heart biscuits that I finished off this morning before Andy came over. The recipe I used was from my sister's friend so I don't actually know if it's available online for me to include a link, but if you'd like to know how to make these I'll be happy to send you the recipe and I'll write it up on my computer especially! They look so good, I think. Haven't tried one yet but I have a feeling they'd go well with a nice cup of green tea or even a glass of fruit juice!

My main 'present' for Andy - a chocolate fudge heart cake! With lovehearts to decorate. If you read my last post on the trial heart shaped cake there is a link to the exact pan I used for this cake - it is nonstick and really works, so good. The recipe was a simple chocolate cake recipe (100g sugar, 100g butter, 100g sr flour, 2 eggs, 40g cocoa mixed with water) and the icing is a recipe from home which is quite tricky but again, if anyone wants to know how to make it I will send you the recipe with specific instructions because it is a chocolate fudge icing it requires special attention ;)

And here is what I received this morning when I was rushing about trying to get everything ready for Andy coming over. Like every other girl in the world, I absolutely love receiving flowers and these are from my 'secret admirer' ha ha! Andy knows my favourite flowers and I love these! Just trimmed the stalks and leaves actually, and they are now in a vase on my desk.

Andy also got me Tegan and Sara's new album, Heartthrob which I was so grateful for - I'm not big on 'gifts' on Valentine's day - just nice gestures, but he really pushed the boat out and has treated me. We went to Ask Italian for a late lunch and tonight we're going to see a comedy magician at the town hall. This is our second Valentine's day together and it's been just as beautiful and perfect as the last one was. Such a lovely day!


Goodbye, Flower xo

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Trial Heart-shaped Valentine's Cake

For Valentine's Day I've decided to go all out (again). I love Valentine's Day - I love love, I love loving and I love to be loved - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, right? Anyway, I'm not big on the presents side of the holiday because I don't think it's about that at all, but I love to bake and my boyfriend loves chocolate so seeing as I made him some chocolate chip cookies last year I'm going to bake him a heart shaped chocolate cake this year.

Tonight I did my trial run with this cake tin which I purchased a few weeks ago (eager beaver) and it was fantastic! The cake slid out of the tin without a fuss and I was very impressed with how the cake itself turned out. So, I'm sharing the ever so simple recipe with you all because it was so damn fudgy and moist my housemates and I scoffed it all down in no time. No shame.
You will need:

• 100g unsalted butter, softened
• 100g caster sugar
• 100g self-raising flour
• 40g cocoa powder mixed with some hot water to form a paste
• 2 large eggs

Preheat the oven to 175°C and if using a regular tin, grease and line it. Beat the butter and sugar together til light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat them in. Stir in the cocoa paste, then fold in the flour. Pour into your tin (or double the quantities to make a sandwich cake and use two tins) and bake in the oven for 25 minutes without opening the door (unless your oven is temperamental and your cake needs more/less cooking time). I promise you, this cake will NOT disappoint. I do not have a picture, I do apologise - but there is just one slice left as myself and two housemates scoffed it all as soon as it was iced and ready to eat.

Considering this was just a trial run I used an old packet of chocolate icing that my Mum gave me from September's cake and bake show in London. It wasn't actually too bad but for Valentine's Day I will be making my favourite chocolate fudge icing to smother all over this moist cake. Yum!
Hope I have inspired some of you to try this out as it is so easy and delicious! Happy Valentine's Day everyone :)

Goodbye, Flower xo

Derek - Not A Controversial Topic - Just Nitpicking.

I was shocked when my lecturer raised the idea that Ricky Gervais’s new programme is cruel and unacceptable. Andy and I watched it and I really enjoyed it. That doesn’t make me ignorant, rude or disrespectful to those with learning disabilities - if anything it makes the people who find it offensive all of those things, because they are the ones jumping to the conclusion that Derek has something wrong with him. I don’t understand why people have to pick and pick and pick at absolutely anything they can find holes in.

Comedy is always going to be subjective, and although the show might poke fun at a vulnerable character, there is no diagnosis explored in the programme - clearly suggesting that it is not necessary for the show’s comedy factor or escalation as a story.

I was actually so surprised when my lecturer brought this up and everyone in my workshop agreed - I hadn’t even thought that people would be offended by this when there is absolutely nothing to be offended by. It is a comedy - not meant to be taken seriously, not bullying anyone in particular, not actually real - it is just a fictional character.

I think a lot of people just don’t like Ricky Gervais and that’s fine, don’t. But there are so many other comedians who take the mick out of their characters, in a non-specific way and it’s fine because that’s the arts - always going to upset some people and entertain others. I was especially surprised that this came from my lecturer who teaches the transgressive and experimental module - if anything is disrespectful or unacceptable it’s explicitly brutal rape, murder and other such inhumane acts that have been filmed for our entertainment.

Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer Review.

I'm not big on reviews - but having looked around for a review on this product and not being very successful I began to wonder why - and I came to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, I am not the only one who was not impressed with this product. So here is my review, completely honest - I don't have a huge follow base so I have no one to keep sweet. I just thought I'd share with you all my experience with this product, having used it for about a month now.

I will hand it to Nivea, their products moisterise my dried out skin very, very well, and this product is no exception. It glides on like a dream and blends well into the skin. However, the primer part of this product does not do its job, I'm afraid. It peels when I put my foundation on top and therefore my make up does not stay put for longer like the product promises to do. I have to be really careful to not let this product peel because otherwise it is a waste of an application for me and my skin is back to square one within a few hours of application. So, if you're really careful at applying foundation and don't blend it too much (ie don't put that much on at all) then this product will work for you.

However, at £4.99 I can't complain too much and I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting miracles from a primer and moisteriser combined for under £5. I will not be purchasing this product again, though. I think I'll stick to a separate moisteriser and find a better primer. Any suggestions? My skin is quite blotchy, dry and has scars from acne as well as being prone to breakouts. I have not got oily skin, though. Leave your reccommendations in the comment box below. Would love to hear from you :)

Goodbye, Flower xo

January Blues Wishlist

I don't know about you but I love to make lists. All the time, when I'm bored - a shopping list, a to do list, whatever, I love making them more than actually ticking off each item on the list. I can never be without a list. Weirdo.
Anyway, for some reason I tend to write more lists than usual in January - I think it must have something to do with the fact that it's a pretty rubbish month and I have no money (not because I spent loads over Christmas, but because I am a student and I have just spent over £1000 on rent for the next three months). SO, I like to write even more lists - for example, a wishlist, and I thought I'd share it with you all this evening as I have just returned home from the theatre and I'm a little bored and lonely.

1. The American Apparel Disco Pant (in Black, obviously).
I have wanted a pair of these for a few months now. Only AA will do I'm afraid - I have read too many bad reviews about the dupes so when ASOS do their brilliant 25% student discount (and actually have these beauties in stock - and in my size) then I will be buying them no matter how far into my overdraft I am - I just need these to suck in that thigh flab that will just not budge no matter how many times I attempt to make it out the front door for a jog...

2. This piping bag and nozzle set. I sound like such a loser having this on my wishlist, but right now I'm really into icing cakes and I want my own set, okay? Even though this set is only a fiver from Amazon, I'm on a really tight budget at the moment (woe).

3. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in Porcelain.
I am in dire need of a new bottle of this! I have gotten right to the end of my current bottle and oh when it starts to splutter and squirt I sigh a little sigh inside. I can't afford this. I really can't. It's £30 a bottle but it does wonders for my skin. With an SPF15 and a light yet beautifully blending magic to it I can't resist. I have problem skin pretty bad and although I like to have a flawless finish I don't like my foundation to be too cakey. This stuff is brilliant, especially if you've got dry skin. It's very moisterising and blends so well.

3. Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in either White or Yellow.
I really need some powder, ok. This is on my wishlist because if I could afford it, I would buy all my make up products from Bobbi Brown. However, I'll settle for Rimmel's Stay Matte powder because I've heard it's good from Estee on her blog. It's also a fraction of the price of this stuff!

I have many more things on my wishlist but I won't bore you with the rest - main things include lots of cosy blankets and duvet covers for my uni bedroom because it's never homely enough for me! Also lots of ingredients to make nice meals and desserts - speaking of which...

I am hoping to start posting my recipes more often. I absolutely love cooking and creating new things. I don't make up my own recipes that often - just sometimes adapt to ones I follow. However, I love to bake and if/when I get that piping bag and nozzle set I will get cracking on decorating some tasty cakes and perhaps start blogging about that.

Goodbye, Flower xo

Hungry Girl - My Thoughts.

I am into health and fitness, despite being a lazy third year University student who loves to snack on chocolate, a lot. And rarely makes it out of the house even if I've managed to get my trainers and joggers on. Yes, it's that bad, but I am still very interested in health and looking after my body.

Last week when I came back to my house at University, I was having a slob day and watching the Food Network channel. A programme called Hungry Girl came on and I vaguely recognised it - I think I must have visited the website a couple of times but had never been that drawn in due to it being American and everything, (foodwise) is just overcomplicated with them because you can't get half the stuff they use here in the UK and also, I don't use cup measurements when it comes to cooking.

I was shocked. This particular episode was called Big Sandwiches sandwiches - 'healthy' alternatives and choices in the sandwich shop survival guide. Sandwiches in general aren't that good for you, but they are good for sustenance and there are plenty of ways in which you can add nutrition to your sandwich. FORGET all of this fat free, sugar free, low calorie ingredient crap. My theory - if you get at least five fruits and vegetables in your diet every day without going overboard on the carbs, saturated fat, salt and sugar then you are doing it right. My idea of a healthy sandwich:

• Brown bread - wholemeal, granary, whatever
• No butter - I personally just don't like butter in my sandwiches, but if I were to use any it would be Lurpak spreadable.
• All natural no added sugar peanut butter - I love Whole Earth peanut butter. It's a little on the pricey side in the peanut butter section of your supermarket but I think it's worth it.
• A sliced banana

With that you get lots of protein and vitamins in the peanut butter and one of your five a day, not to mention how much it will fill you up. Looking at some of Hungry Girl's recipes for sandwiches - well, it's all about size isn't it? High volume for low calories. I couldn't actually believe what I was seeing and hearing - this is coming from the Food Network channel, the same channel where they air Diners, Driveins and Dives, Man vs Food, Nigella Bites! Who is this crazy calorie obsessed woman and why is she so successful?!

In my opinion fat free and sugar free anything is bad news. It seems that her audience just can't deal with the idea of eating treats in moderation and doing regular exercise. Hungry girl, you're only hungry because you're not actually eating anything! Maybe it looks like a big sandwich, but if it doesn't have the calories, it's not going to fill you up. Also, that American sliced cheese she uses - you know, the stuff you find in hamburgers - her fat free version? NOT EVEN FOOD. Cheese should never be fat free, or even low in fat. Cheese IS fat, and that's totally fine! You are allowed to eat cheese! And if you're not, because you're overweight and trying to shift a few pounds then go without for a little while and do some exercise!

I will never understand this way of thinking. It's an unhealthy relationship with food that results in eating disorders and I am so disappointed that the Food Network channel UK airs this programme every day at 2pm. It's disgraceful.

Goodbye, Flower xo

2013

2013 is the end of one chapter in my life and the start of another. For the first time in my life I don't know what lies ahead. I have no idea where I'll be or what I'll be doing in a year's time, and that's really scary. However, I have made resolutions, plans and am positive about the future, even if there have already been a few bumps in 2013.

1. Try new things - whether it be a new drink, food, snack, type of clothing, writing a letter to someone instead of an email, going on spontaneous walks to nowhere - I just want to try new things because doing the same things all the time is what makes for a boring life - you know it's true. New things are exciting. I want to learn.
2. Go on more adventures - don't be afraid. I can do what everyone else can do. My condition (which I will post about another time) does not define me and it will not restrict me, either. Adventures are fun. It sort of goes hand in hand with trying new things.
3. Continue on the road to a healthy lifestyle - since the summer of 2011 I have become a lot more conscious of my body and what goes in and out of it. So far I've gotten the diet down alright, (although it definitely needs more work), but I have yet to tackle the issue of exercise, and that's something I really want to master this year. Basically, I want to teach myself to run because since leaving primary school it has become some strange fear of mine.
4. Read more - every single year. I'm getting better though. My mind has grown so much since going to University. I am so open minded and so more aware of the world. I used to be so naive and since reading more, and a bigger variety of genres I have learnt so much and have questioned things I used to just accept.
5. Go abroad - France, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, Amsterdam - any one of them would be fantastic. 
6. Graduate with a 1st - over the course of three years at University my grades had slowly improved and I am currently on course for a 1st overall. I am so excited by this prospect but terrified that I won't be able to reach my goal. A 2:1 is still a fantastic grade to achieve, and I know it won't even matter afterwards because I want to work in a completely different sector, but it is a personal goal of my own - when it comes to academia, I seem to like getting the top grades (haha).

I think that's all, really. Some of them aren't even resolutions, just goals. I love the start of a new year, despite the inevitable January blues - but all the more reason to snuggle up with your other half and watch films, eat nice food and make plans for a brighter future.
It's funny how our minds work - we get all ready for Christmas, and then as soon as it's over we're sad. There are so many reasons to be happy and continue with the celebrations of love, life and family - which I know are the main focuses for a lot of people's Christmas.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Goodbye, Flower xo

An introduction

Well hello, there. I thought I would dedicate my first post to an introduction of some sort. What better way to start a new blog?
 I am twenty years old and I spend a lot of time inside my head, thinking, thinking, thinking, sometimes about thinking... mostly about food, books, people and the sky.

I 'study' Creative Writing at university and I am in my third and final year, unsure of what to do next in the real world but determined to go on as many adventures as possible and try many new things.
I have started this blog because for the past three years I have written a separate blog which hasn't really had much focus. It was a lazy attempt, if you like, and doesn't show me at my best as a writer. I want a fresh start and a fresh new blog so here I am, on blogger after a few followers on my other blog recommended it to me. I like baking, reading, adventures and learning - I suppose these are the things I will write about on my blog, as well as other things that interest me like music, films, theatre and life.

I am quite indecisive and already have I changed my mind about the header of this blog but have absolutely no idea how to change it so if anyone would be so kind as to tell me how I go about doing that, I would appreciate it very much. If all else fails I'm sure google will enlighten me.
I suppose that's all for now.

Goodbye, Flower xo