Things to Make You Smile on Etsy..

Iota Illustration 

Kikichoo 

Finger Food Delight 

Three fab Etsy sellers with beautiful stock to make you smile, I think I need everything they sell in my life. 

xx

Relax with Baking..

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a lovely weekend and really make the most of your Sunday. I think that Sunday is always a nice day to get the little things done that you don't have time for during the week. I have quite a few decision to make at the moment, I have one pretty big one actually and it is really taking over my mind. I find that when I feel stressed or am thinking too much about one thing I need to find something to take my mind of things. I am not someone who escapes to have a nap and avoid the thoughts, I still like to keep them in my mind but be doing something else so that it isn't taking over me.



Yesterday I decided I would bake a Victoria sponge, I used a Delia Smith recipe from her Complete Cookery Course book and have also found it online - How to make all-in-one sponge. It s a very easy recipe to follow and the only downfall to my cake was that I mixed it too much, I have a kMix and totally got carried away with using it. If you noticed you have lots of air bubbles or holes inside your cake then you know you have mixed it for too long, it doesn't affect the taste but it's just a tip to avoid doing it next time as it causes the middle to rise quite high.

I did the good old thing of typing into google 'how to make the best buttercream' and I came straight to one of my favourite baking websites The Kitchen Magpie  and found exactly what I was looking for. I really recommend using Karlynns's recipe for buttercream, it would be perfect for icing cupcakes.



Adding icing is always a messy job.




Baking is one of my top 5 things to do to relax, would you be interested in seeing more ?
What do you do to relax ?


Oh, I really want to share with you the decision I have to make but I can't just yet.


xx

Always buy a hat in the sale..

I buy most of my hats in the sale and usually stock up on them during January. You will find that most hats go into the sale around this time of the year. In England we can usually chuck on a good old bowler hat during the summer as well as autumn, so if you are someone who wears hats you will get lots of use out of them.

I have been browsing the ASOS website to find some hats to add to my collection ( from the sale only ). I have put together a collection of six fantastic hats which I think are worth adding to your collection. I have chosen to share items from ASOS for a second time this month because I love the variety of prices you find as well as the wide range of styles. ASOS really is a one stop shop for everything you need to stock your wardrobe.




1 2 3 4 5 6 

Just click on the numbers to take you to where the hat lives. I am really hoping to invest in a few of these this week, I wear hats all through the winter so I never feel as though I am wasting money on them.

Which is your favourite ?

xx

Pastel Nails..

I am craving sunshine and the pastel colours that summer always brings. There are so many yummy candy coloured clothes knocking about and I can't wait to have some fun with them in the summer sun. For now I have decided that the best way to start incorporating pastel shades into my outfits is via my nails. I got myself Minty Fresh by No7 with one of those £5.00 vouchers they have in Boots at the moment, I am really glad I went for pastel blue because it goes perfectly with the pink dresses and shirts I have been wearing. I decided to also use Barry M 039 alongside Minty Fresh, I think they go delightfully well together and candy nails really add something fun to your outfit.



Are you starting to incorporate pastel shades into your outfits ?

Minty Fresh : No7, 039 and Topcoat : Barry M

xx

Munio Candela : Review

I start using candles around the run up to Christmas, I like to use them to make my house smell festive and usually use the Yankee - Christmas Eve scent or a cheaper version of it. If I am given some for Christmas I will continue using them till they run out but don't usually head out and buy any myself. I did buy them whilst I was at university because you really have to make an effort to make your room beautiful which is had when you are in halls.

I spotted the new Munio Candela range of candles over at Mypure at the start of this month knew I had to try them. I know that cheap candles can be made with chemicals that really shouldn't be breathed in by the human body, so I thought I should try out a good make and especially as Munio Candela candles are all natural I knew I was heading in the right direction. I always go straight for anything which contains cinnamon so I decided that this would have to be the first one in the collection I tested. I would like to try the clove scent next time or maybe I will go for something new like the Marigold Flowers.

I was very glad I went for my usual cinnamon scent because it has really done a fantastic job, as soon as I opened the candle and took it out of the box it filled the lounge with a beautiful smell. I didn't light it till a few days later and even whilst it was sitting on the side everyone noticed the lovely smell it was giving off. I have been burning it for a few nights now and have had the full chance to take in how lovely the scent is. It isn't overpowering but you are very aware of the smell in the room, it's a pleasure to be sitting amongst such a wonderful cinnamon smell whilst working on my laptop.

The Munio candles are totally natural and last for 50% longer than other candles their size. I really like that you can see the cinnamon sticks around the candle, it makes you aware that the candle is made very naturally and also makes it look very pretty.

I normally find it hard to spend money on candles, I think they make lovely presents for others and would be very happy to receive a special candle like this as a gift. However, I would buy the Munio Candela candle for myself because I now know how lovely they are. It isn't something I would be paying out for every month but maybe every other month. I have a feeling this candle will be lasting me much longer than a month, I haven't had to keep this candle lit all evening because the smell lasts very well throughout the evening. I will keep you updated with how long this Munio Candela candle lasts me and will share photos on my Facebook page.

The candle I picked was 220ml and has a total burning time of 15 hours, I think that's quite good for £11.00. I don't think I would spend more than maybe £15.00 on a (large) candle and even then that would be a push. I don't think I am at a stage in my life where I am earning enough to buy such luxury candles, I think that £11.00 is a nice price to pay for a good quality, natural and long lasting candle.

A candle really makes your home feel cosy, it's easy to forget this sometimes and I only tend to remember around Christmas time. I want to make more of an effort to use candles this year, I think they can give off a relaxing feeling and help to keep you calm if your mind has been busy at work all day. 

I think that the Munio Candela candle range would make a fantastic gift or be a nice way to treat yourself once in a while.

Do you buy candles often ? 


How much would you usually spend on a candle ?

xx