Monday, 22 February 2016

Simple Chocolate Fudge Recipe ~ Baking Love ~ Blog Love ~



I love baking and chocolate so I thought it was time for another baking post. Also I have to share links to all the lovely people/bloggers I've enjoyed chatting to this week!

Last Thursday while waiting for the #USBloggerChat and browsing Twitter I came across this beauty Rebecca @winberrycrumble and her post on Popping Candy Fudge (see the full recipe here!) and what good timing as the chat was all about FOOD!!! My favourite! (thanks to the lovely host Meg(z)han @gotmeghan)

So I set about making this delicious treat!


Ingredients:


397g (1 tin) condensed milk
400g milk chocolate
25g unsalted butter, softened
100g icing sugar
Colourful sugar strands (I used stars)
3 packets of popping candy (about 15g)



I luckily had all the ingredients in my cupboard, (randomly had popping candy left over from Halloween)

Such a simple recipe, but be careful I almost burnt the pot with my chocolate!

So show this blog some love and make yourself some fudge!!!!

Share your recipes and pics with me!

xx





Friday, 19 February 2016

Grammys 2016 Fashion & Style

Grammys style this year was quite subdued but some stars deserve a mention. These were the highlights for me!

Lady Gaga's homage to David Bowie in this beautiful custom Marc Jacobs, right on trend. I am loving the Jacket Dress!!!

 
The trouser suit
Zendaya in Dsquared2 and Giuseppe Zanotti
 
Serayah in this lovely Vera Wang number
 
 
Traditional Black
 
Carrie Underwood in Nicolas Jebra and Giuseppi Zanotti's
 
 
 
Alessandra Ambrosio in Versace and Giuseppi Zanotti's
 
 
 
I actually really like this dress that Mya is wearing
 
This Christian Siriano piece really suits Elle King and her personality
 
 
Something a bit different, Janelle Monae in Jean Paul Gaultier
 
 
Rihanna in this Giambattista Valii cupcake flouncy gown
 
Selena Gomez in a Calvin Klein sparkly number
 
Really like the fabric in this Vivienne Westwood gown on Liame-La-Havas
 
Cute Hello Kitty Onsie worn by Dencia not sure if it's red carpet worthy but  worth a mention, and aren't we meant to be comfortable... (though maybe not that comfortable) but at least she stood out from the crowd!
 
Another "something different" look from Z-Lala
 
 
Taylor Swift in Atelier Versace and Stuart Weitzman. Not sure if it's my thing, I like the skirt but not sure about the boob tube more poolside than red carpet.
 
Also love this gold number Jani Khosla on Giuliana Rancic!
 
 
What was your favourite look of the 2016 Grammy's???
 
 
 
 
 



Saturday, 13 February 2016

Valentines Tea Party ~ Galentines ~ Baking, Recipes and Treats ~



I know I did a Valentines recipe post yesterday but as I said any reason to bake!!!! Now this is a Galentines post!!!

So we had a little Valentines Day Themed Tea Party and Crafty Day!!!!

I baked some cute mini cupcakes! Using the Odlums recipe here, but I added some red food colouring to make them "Valentinesy"


Ingredients


  • 125g/4oz Odlums Self Raising Flour
  • 125g/4oz Butter or Margarine  (room temperature)
  • 125g/4oz Caster Sugar
  • 2 Eggs (room temperature)
  • Few Drops Vanilla Essence

  • Just mix all your ingredients together
    Fill your (mini red polka dot/valentines) cupcake cases
    Bake in a preheated oven at 160C for 12 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

    Icing


    I iced these more like fairy cakes or buns using icing sugar and a tiny drop of water and food colouring. I topped them with some pink sugar on the white ones and "Love Heart" sweets on the pink ones!



    I was looking for some Valentines biscuits so I choose Jammy Dodgers as they have hearts on them! Some Mikado as they are pink and some Chocolate Digestives as everyone loves chocolate! We had a box of Family Circle too and some Celebrations!

    While in Tesco I picked up these cute love heart napkins for €1.50!!

    We had a great day opening our exhibition, crafting, eating cakes and biscuits and drinking tea!!!

    Hope you have a great Valentines however and with whoever you spend it!!!

    xx

    Check out my previous valentines baking post here and shopping list here

    Last Minute Valentines Shopping

    Ok so you have left it a bit late and now you are rushing to find that perfect Valentines gift, but all is not lost as I have found some quick and easy suggestions! I know I don't really get this holiday (lovey cringe worthy c*!p) but everyone likes presents!


    1.Breakfast in Bed


    Simple whether it is a traditional Full Irish, Eggs Benedict or Florentine, More Pancakes (cos that stuff is probably on sale) or healthy yoghurt and fruit everyone loves a surprize breakfast in bed!
    So run to your local supermarket and pick up what you need!

    I found these cute love heart napkins and I love you toast stamp in Tesco for €1.50 each! Perfect to set the mood!



    2.Flowers


    Last minute means left overs this time of year and expensive leftovers!

    Tips buy two  or more smaller bunches, remove the cheap plastic petrol station looking wrapping and put in a vase on the table to surprize someone, or wrap yourself with cute gift wrap!

    It needn't be roses, it's in the thought here!!! So try to remember what your significant others favourite flower is or what their favourite colour is!!!

    Think about a plant, it's more long term.... like you hope to be!!!



    3.Lingerie for the Lady.... or the Gentleman (who really gets to enjoy it???)


    If you don't know the correct size don't bother!
    Also remember Penny in the Big Bang Theory.... (slutty carrot...) make sure it's something ye both like!
















    Depending on the couple, run down to primark and get a nice onsie (matching onsies) for a night in in front of the telly! (Netflix & Chill)


    4.Chocolates & Deserts


    Tips for the frugal make your own! Just melt down a regular (Tesco value etc.) bar and stick some jelly tots, valentines M & M's, red or pink sprinkles in it. If you don't have a silicone mould just lay it out on cling film or baking paper and make bark!

    http://everydaydishes.com/holiday/white-chocolate-valentine-bark/


    Or Bake a Cake! I know something you actually put effort into is sooo much better than something you picked up without any thought from the designated Valentines Isle!

    And pick up a pack of Love Hearts and you never know some Rolo's



    Previous post inspiration here and here!!!

     

    5. Clothes, Shoes & Jewellery


    If you want to go down this route you need to know your partner and their sizes! If it's too small or too big your basically calling them fat! Unless it's perfect you're in trouble!!!!

    If it's jewellery..... it better be a ring otherwise your teasing (did I say teasing I mean dead)....if it's a ring omg you did not just do that on valentines... gay... cringe... so I say unless your on the same page and "there" just avoid this one!

    If you do feel the need to propose  (cringe) do it in style with a pair of Manolo Blahniks! And remember it's two months wages you gotta spend!!!!!!!! And no one is safe this year is a leap year!!!

    Shoes....Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, & Christian Louboutin are the men you need this valentines! Think modern day Cinderella!


    Gifts in General!


    Anything cute (teddy) or techie (no idea!) and completely un-valentines related but that you know your significant other would actually like buy it! It doesn't have to be roses and chocolate, if your man wants new head phones or a record player get them! How about a new frying pan since you burnt theirs making pancakes earlier this week!
    Chocolates are gone in seconds and then the moaning starts cos now I'm fat but something heartfelt might last a bit better!!!

    Enjoy the Day that is in it!

    xx



    Friday, 12 February 2016

    Treat yourself this Valentines ~ Favourites ~ Baking Blogs and Recipes

    It's that time of year again.... Valentines!



    Now there are lovers and haters of this holiday and I'm not really one for that fake lovey-dovey S!*T but I never miss an opportunity to eat chocolate and cake! And I love crafts and make-and-do, I'm like an overgrown child!!!! So I do like some valentines things and it's always nice to cheer up someone's day with a cute treat and a big hug!

    Also as you know I am obsessed with pinterest and there are soooo many cute cakes and bakes on there for valentines so I am gonna make some treats for friends and family!

    Some of my favourite finds include Strawberry Cake in a Jar from The Mini Baker

     
     
     
     
     
    Also these great compilations like this one from The Helicopter Mum
     
     
     
     
    as you can tell I am going through a Cakes in Jars phase and am kinda feeling Red Velvet for the season!
    
     
     
    Let me know how your baking adventure progresses and send me links to recipes you like or think I should try!
     
    xx
     
    P.S. if your still hungry why not try my previous posts:
     
     

    Tuesday, 9 February 2016

    Happy Pancake Day! Yum Yum!!!



    I love Pancake Tuesday! A whole day dedicated to stuffing yourself with pancakes!

    So here is a recipe for pancakes from Odlums, get the whole recipe here!


    Ingredients:

     
  • 125g / 4oz Odlums Cream Plain Flour
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1 Egg
  • 300ml / 1/2 pint Milk
  • Oil for frying


  • Or this one from Siucra, see full recipe here!

    I used this Siucra recipe this year as this is the one I had as a child, Siucra used to give recipe cards out in the supermarket so I used to pick one up every year! I used oil instead of butter. simply put all your ingredients into a jug and mix it up with a whisk! It is best to leave it stand for 30mins or overnight however I had some "tester" pancakes last night and they were delicious!

    Ingredients

    • 2 large eggs (beaten)
    • 150 g/5 oz Cream Flour
    • 1 tbsp Siúcra/McKinney Caster Sugar
    • 250ml/8 fl milk, or milk and water mixed
    • 1 tbsp melted butter (optional)



    Last year I made Red Velvet Pancakes (using the Odlums recipe) by adding red food colouring and cocoa to my pancake batter!!! Then I covered them with Nutella, and strawberries would have gone great with them!!!
    Here they are with a nice cup of tea!



    My favourite Pancake though is the Traditional Sugar and Lemon Juice!!!

    However you like your pancakes I hope you enjoy them!!!!


    Still hungry? Check out my previous recipe posts:

    Ferrero Rocher Cake

    Cake Pops

    xx

    P.S. Feel free to comment and send me links for recipes you think I should like!

    Monday, 8 February 2016

    Happy Chinese New Year!



    I didn't know much about this holiday but I've learnt a thing or two recently and thought I would share with you!

    First off I got a lovely gift from a friend for Chinese New Year!



    Such a beautiful pashmina, I wore it today and everyone complemented it! Chinese Red Knot Tassel with Bells which thanks to Google I know symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

     
     


    Then I found this blogger Sally with a lovely Hong Kong Egg Tart Recipe here, yes I would to love to try these but Sally also gives us a quick introduction to some traditions. Notably that elders and married people tend to give the youngsters a Red Pocket. I didn't realise the symbolic nature of the packaging my cute gift came in!


    So Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!!

    xx