What have I been up too?

Its crunch time for me it gets hectic this time of year all the courseworks and revision gets worse too much to juggle I have just been drowning in it! I still am but I have neglected my blog for a while and I miss it after all it is my secrete getaway lol. As far as beauty life goes I have been using my

Bobbi Brown skin foundation
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Stereo Rose MSF/Joues contraste blush in Caprice (I think) very old now
Buxom Gel Liner (in Leather)
No mascara only rarely L'oreal Million lashes
Bobbi brown Creamy Concealer and corrector
Korres Pomegranate  lip balm

I also bought a lovely purse from Cath Kidston when it was on sale

 soooo lovely! 

My craving for Chocolate has been at its peak at the moment and I have been resulting to this

Nutella!

And since I have been studying so hard my mind steers towards making random things in terms of food and i remmebred how I wathed TV chef Giada make these stuffed olives fried in batter SERIOISLY THE BEST! but they only taste nice fresh I will look for the recipe but im sure if you google "Giada stuffed Olives" you can find it

we decided to do a few prawns too :) YUMM!

I recently have been loving this stunning nail polish by MAC its from the Pret a papier collection I really can't find the bottle to write the name since I changed it yesterday but I wrote about it here

 Stunning!

I also found this in the post lol from Sky could they get any desperate?

haha WATCH E! 

And to finish off I had to show you these beautiful flowers I saw at Hilton towers in Mayfair my uncle came over so we went to visit him but this was the highlight of my evening :P

pretty! I know someone who would love these too you know who you are!

I hope to post a few more of my random photos of what I have been doing xx

MIA

As some of you May have realised I have been dry on blogging and its not due to be losing interest I'm just so busy I don't have the time to take photos of the things I use or like.

I do miss blogging though I love reading other peoples blogs I was inspired to a little update post like Sana and just mention a little about what I have been up to!

I am currently loving the Korres lip butter I got a few months ago I did a post on it before and I have to say it really does keep  my lips healthy and gives them a nice tint of healthiness to them too.

As far as my eating habits I have been pretty bad eating too many treats and not enough fruit and veg or water I don't know whats happening to me but I just seem to not like anything like that as much hopefully I'll get back to liking them again since my body reacts to eating bad food very quickly I notice my skin changing within 3 days when I drink more water.

I am an Arab and the current happenings in the middle east have allot of impact on me I m happy that Tunisia and Egypt are finally standing up to the oppression by their leaders and fighting for their rights may god be with them.

I haven't been buying anything much really but I have been enjoying all of what I have and rediscovering my makeup and skincare.

However in terms of skin care I have been OK exfoliating everyday has made a big difference in my skin I am contemplating whether or not I should get the Clarisonic I am tempted but the price tag keeps pulling me back and the fact that Space NK sell them doesn't help at all!

I have been enjoying looking after my feet I contracted a verruca from someones house DAMN IT but I have been following the instructions from my research and it seems to be going they are VERY PAINFULL! and it really annoys me because I have to take care not to touch it when I moisturise my feet.

I also recently started to wear minimal makeup and focus on making my skin look good rather than eyeshadow etc, using products like NARS Illuminator in the past I liked the MAC strobe cream but I find the strobe cream nice when I wear cooler scarfs they are both really good but if I feel really yellow and colourless I choose the NARS one.

For some reason I have developed a keenness to making guests to feel really comfortable at my home I feel like tings need to be perfect, I need to have specific things when people come over like the right appetisers, food and deserts some people may say its sad lol but I think its just my attention to detail growing. could it be  because I know one day I will be having my own guests and I want to be the hostess with the mostest? who knows but I think its fun and I love it when people make an effort when I come to their house and I have Friends who really do so why shouldn't I ?

Lastly on the note of hair removal I have to say that sugaring has been really good for me and I use it all the time now I used to find it annoying and tricky but will a little patience and determination you can get amazing results and its perfect I never use a razor EVER! and as a result I never get itchy under arms or legs that eventually get soar and irritated 

What has everyone else been up to?

Bargain of all time!

Hello readers!

Guess what I came across a while ago, I actually have had these for ages but only found them a week ago and remembered how amazed I was at them and I found them at POUNDLAND! I know some of you may be thinking hmmm what was she doing in poundland and I agree I don't advise going there for food or anything like although I know people who buy milk from there!

But I like to buy paper plates and cups, cleaning things like clothes because they can be pretty cheap and since I buy a lot it saves a few ££'s I also think its sometimes good for kids since the ones I know will be happy with anything but also don't mind tearing a toy to pieces so it doesn't bother me much lol.

So one day while I was browsing I came across these!

LASHES!!!!

Yes I found lashes at £1 each and they look pretty good they have different variations I bought 4 and gave one away but I was really shocked to see them and at such a cheap price they are a bargain.

They are definitely not human hair but I don't care for that since I wear them on occasion, I also buy lashes when ever I can so they end up as back ups for when I do makeup on brides or as a gift.

As for the glue I dumped them I don't trust or dare to put that cheap glue near my eyes so I just use the eyelure lash glue that I have from other lash sets.

Have you guys tried these before?

Discovering new things

I recently stumbled across these at The Body Shop and what drew me towards them was the thought of applying a lotion rather than a cream for the morning I hate the feeling of clothes and oil or cream at the same time it feels like its limiting my movement so I thought a spray lotion would do me good.

I also wanted the spray mist because it smells amazing and in the summer and winter it would be good to wear when people come over and I don't want to wear perfume.

I love the apricot smell of the finishing mist, but the lotion's Jasmin smell is a bit off a put off, it is moisturising  though despite its thin feel it does a good job of sinking in.

Have you guys tried any of these products?

Cup Cake part D'eux

Ok so as you guys may have guest I love cooking and makng food especially CUPCAKES! I got a lot of good feedback on the previous cupcakes I did you can have a look at them HERE!

My mum was reading one of her cook books and asked me if I wanted to try a different cupcake recipe that might be fun.

I thought it would be nice to try them since they contain a rather special ingerdient "Reese's Peanut butter cupcakes" soooo yuummm! they are so delicious you won't stop your self from eating them and if you take them to someones house as agift they'll love you for ever lol!

I followed Gizzy Erkins recipe I couldnt fine a direct link to her recipe but I found this webiste that has it down pretty well I have realised with Celeb cooks and chefs that they only publish selected recipes online so that you buy the book so if you really want to then go ahead but this recipe should be sufficient.

What you need:

INGREDIENTS
170g softened butter
170g golden caster sugar
3 large free-range eggs
170g self-raising flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
3-4 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
100g fudge, chopped into small cubes 6 Reese's peanut butter cups, chopped into small pieces
Reese's peanut butter cups or peanuts, to decorate
For the peanut butter frosting
200g peanut butter
170g icing sugar
150ml full fat cream cheese (Philadelphia is good)

What you need to do: 

Preheat the oven to 170 C/gas 3. Put 18 cupcake cases in the holes of 2 Yorkshire pudding or muffin tins.
Place the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric whisk for around 5 minutes, or until pale and creamy. Whisk in the eggs, one by one, until combined. 

You may find the mixture curdles a little when you pop in your last egg but it should come together again when you add the flour.
 
Sift over the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and stir in. Loosen the mixture with 3 tablespoons of milk and the vanilla extract. 

You want the batter to fall off the spoon easily; if you think it's too thick, stir in another tablespoon of milk. Stir in the chopped Reese's peanut butter cups.

Divide the mixture between the cupcake cases and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. You can check this by sliding a skewer into a cake; if it comes out clean, it's done.
Leave the cakes to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the peanut butter frosting, beat the peanut butter with the icing sugar and cream cheese for a few minutes, or until smooth and creamy. There are no real rules when icing a cupcake except that it has to be thick - really thick ' so whether you want to use a knife or piping bag, give them some shape or make them smooth, the choice is yours. Decorate with chopped Reese's peanut butter cups or peanuts

Makes 18
Preparation time 15 minutes
Cooking time 25 minutes 

Here's some pics for you guys to mouth water on!

One little thing to add is that I personally would have preferred to use a butter cream icing since the cream cheese felt a little weird to me but others loved it my brother and sister scoffed them all lol 

Happy Baking

Making my life easier!

As a uni student I am always in a hurry in a rush and in a mess sometimes lol "rarely" so I often get all my things jumbled up in my bag my earphones, my purse little things like nose spray or even my phone.

I also often like to change my bag every now and then so when my mum bought this for me I thought it would be a  really good to organise all my stuff.

I got this from QVC and at the moment it has an introductory price as the photo shows below

 Comes in a variaty of colours!

Keeps everything in order and not floating around in my bag!

I thinks its good for all types of people not just uni students like me if your looking to keep your bag organised and everything easily obtainable without panicking as you look for oyster card on the bus!

Do you think its what you need in your bag share your thoughts!

Asos Haul

SO before Christmas I ordered some things off Asos since I was glued to books and revision! which really drained me this time. I was also eager to get my hands on a snood I was so jealous of seeing others all warm and wrapped up with their noses warm except for me :( its the worst part I hate to get cold because the following day I will end up sneezing and getting a runny nose!

I also wanted a good natural lip balm that is as good as my shizen lip serum but is a little more hard wearing  for the winter you know, a little more durable on chapped lips but I didn't want no petroleum jelly rubbish so here's what I got.

 I got this because I heard a lot of good things about korres and its natural appeal, I liked the fact it had Shea butter and rice wax and was mineral oil free. I do believe however that there are better lips balms out there but for £6 I thought it was pretty good.

I got the colour pomegranate a slight Coral pink colour  that gives a soft tint to lips, I find that this does do a good job of moisturising lips, I feel that for the winter when you want staying powder its good to use butters or natural waxes like this. The consistency is very creamy and moistens lips pretty good I didn't wear this today but my lips haven't gone worse despite me having a cold.

The lovely colour gives tired and dull lips a nice pop of colour to brighten the complexion and give a healthy look

Next on my shopping list was a good snood I was browsing and I saw this and didn't waste any time in getting it I LOVE this so much its so warm cosy and the prefect comforter when waiting at a cold bus stop in the dark. It feels so soft not scratchy at all the only thing that annoys me a teensy bit is that its wipes my blush off

So soft and cosy xxx

here's a pic of me wearing it

ahhh complete luxury!

I finally decided to treat my self to this beautiful ring by Oasis it was £10 but I thought it would be much cheaper than buying something real or much more high end.

My mum was skeptical about the little gems falling out, she was right but I painted around 6 coats of clear Nails Inc top coat all over the rings surface and it worked not a single gem out of place its amazing what you can do with a little nail polish!

rather patch pic of the ring as soon as I got it

so lovely adds that perfect touch to an outfit

Did you guys like anything in particular in this post? let me know in the comments!

 

All in a cupcake

Hey everyone!

Its been a while I know January tests have been happening and for the past 2 weeks the revision has been intense.

I had my first 2 assessments today and I am so drained I need a rest! so no studying today but since I'm so used to looking at the laptop or reading or writing I had to catch up on my blogging you could say its the only thing I know right now lol.

I didn't do my beauty resolutions or best of 2010 but I will soon once the pressure dies down a little and I get to complete a list of favorite products, but for now i will update on you on what I had been up to in the kitchen this past winter break.

About 3 weeks ago I was studying like crazy! and having been stuck in the house studying and finishing coursework I craved cupcakes and not just any cupcakes really good quality ones like the ones you see at Lola's bakery. But to be honest I wasn't prepared to go out and pay £2.75 per cupcake and knowing it wasn't going to be all homemade. 

So I researched online for recipes and different types I found the Red Velvet recipe and really wanted to give it ago, however things didn't go to plan and I ended up making Chocolate buttercream icing cupcakes and I am glad to say I'm happy I chose them!

I made around 2 dozen cupcakes and me, my mum and sister iced them hence the different designs I made the rose looking ones

I got the recipe from this website I still used the Red velvet cake mix recipe but didn't add the Red coloring, I liked the idea of using Buttermilk or yogurt in my case since we didn't have buttermilk but it basically makes the cake more moist and yummy!

To make these cupcakes  I followed a video and the recipe at the same time however due to lack of preparation and panicking I missed out a whole cup of flour resulting in this

Cup cake flop!

However they still came out good just a little rough around the edges everyone loved them just remember to prepare all the amounts you need in separate bowls and I really advise using an electric mixer like Kenwood or Kitchen Aid or even an eggbeater.

HERE is the video I watched and the recipe I followed to accompany the video

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising)

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 large eggs, at room temperature

6 tablespoons red food coloring

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups buttermilk or yogurt

1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Please note that these measurements are in american terms so refer to this really helpful page by Delia smith that describes the difference

Preperation 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour three 9- by 2-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with waxed paper.

To make the cake: In a small bowl, sift the cake flour and set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, whisk together the red food coloring, cocoa, and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well.

In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk. Add to the batter in three parts alternating with the flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overbeat. In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.

Divide the batter among the prepared pans. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the layers cool in the pans for 1 hour. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

Chocolate Butter cream Icing:

To make the Icing I litrally put the above title into google and serched around for a good recipe but I ended up finding my old cupcake book by Primrose bakery and its so simple I love their recipes!

Here is their recipe for Vanilla buttercream Icing, for chocolate I added a bar of cooking milk chocolate and dark chocolate. This is enough to ice around 20 cupcakes.

110g (4oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature

60ml (2fl oz) semi-skimmed milk, at room temperature

1tsp good-quality vanilla extract 

500g (18fl oz) icing sugar, sifted 

Here are a few pics of how they came out!

Has anyone made cupcakes before ? Let me know!

If you guys like me to include food posts let me know too in the comments! xxx