The Great Work Bake Off

This year my work has partnered with the charity St. Mungo's to raise money for the homeless. One of their money making schemes was a Great Work Bake Off and the theme was for your cake to be decorated to represent your department. All of the entries were fantastic and tasted amazing. 

Announcing the winner!

Which was of course the sewing themed cake for looking incredible, having a great texture and tasting amazing, according to our judge.

 

I also got to show off my new Oasis top 

Worn with a cardigan stolen from my mum to keep me warm in the office.

Thanks for reading xx

Plain Jane Jumper

So I have a plain grey jumper that I love because it has a wrap back and its the only jumper I have that is not just a basic old jumper but... it's plain grey and I think I am now realising it might have to be worn with some statement necklaces so I have picked out a couple and please let me know what you think!!

From River Island the gold twist necklace;

From Asos the chevron necklace:

Or from New Look the neon green necklace;

And here is the jumper with nada! 

I'd love to hear any other suggestions!!

All pictures from the individuals websites.

Thanks for reading xx

Copycat Hairstyle

I can not get enough of plaits! I loved this one because it looked like it would be quick to whip up in the morning when I'm half asleep, so this is the hair style I wanted to copy;

And these are my results, bear in mind I took them when I got back from work so they are a little messier than when I started!

I have been reassured the back was a lot neater before! I also don't have as much hair so I went with a half-updo look instead.

I started with a section of hair at the top my head by my parting and twisted it holding it in the direction it would wrap round my head then I grabbed another section of hair just up from my temple and wrapped it round the twist and then put the two sections together and moved onto  another strand and repeated. Once I had used all the hair at the front of my face I twisted the "plait" tight and pinned it with curby grips at the back of my head and did the other side exactly the same but starting off lower down my head. I think it turned out okay, it was really easy and pretty much lasted the whole day which is great for me because I hate fiddily styles.

Thanks for reading xx

Beauty Twos

Tried to get an arty picture but it was too cold to get everything perfect! Sorry! But here are two beauty products I am loving this week. 

The first is a glittery nail varnish by Models Own which I have used like crazy over the christmas new years period and whenever I need a little sparkle! It goes on really easy, looks best with two thin coats and is a nightmare to get off but don't let that put you off it is totally worth it. 

The second is a Topshop Lipstick in Rio Rio again this is one I pull out for occasions (last Friday!) it goes on really easy, smells good and doesn't dry my lips out which a lot of lipsticks do. I haven't found a way to make it last a whole night so if anyone has any fool proof tips please let me know!

Thanks for reading xx

Colds are not Cool!

So I woke up on Monday with a nasty cold! Apparently it has been going round the office and has now graced me with it's presence... thanks, thanks a lot. So today I wrapped up (also got told by one lady at my work that I look like I'm about to go skiing, that's a good thing through right?!) 

Also got out the hot water bottle I was given for Christmas to keep me toasty and cold fighting fit! The case was dyed and made by my mum, isn't it cool. 

How are you all doing anyone else in my stereotypical common cold boat?

Thanks for reading xx

My Chocolate Twists!

So ever since watching the Great British Bake Off and hearing about how tricky and time consuming puff pastry is I have wanted to set myself a puff pastry challenge and seeing as how I have suddenly discovered the newly refurbished pastry aisle in my local Tesco and a rivalling, perhaps triumphant, aisle in Sainsburys I was inspired to make a chocolate twist.

I used the puff pastry recipe from Paul Hollywood's recent book but cut down a little on the times, I only left the flour slab in the fridge for two hours at the start and once the butter was rolled in they only rested in the fridge for 30 minutes after each turn.

I have to say I was pretty surprised at how easy it was to complete each step and not get confused along the way I totally expected to get befuddled. I also found that it was a simple recipe and the only downfall is that it is time consuming, I would only be able to fit it in at the weekend, which is such a shame because it is delicious! So here are the chocolate twists, with layers!!!

I tried out two twisting methods and I think the first one looks the best but was also the trickier, for that one I squished the chocolate into the pastry strip and borrowed a glamorous assistant to hold one end while I twisted the other and caught falling chocolate to stuff back in! The second was to roll out the strip a bit more to make it longer put chocolate on half and fold the rest of the pastry strip over and then twist. But in the end who cares! I got some layers in my pastry!!And its chocolate so it all tastes good! Pretty certain these would also be amazing savoury and they only take 15 minutes in the oven!!

I would really really recommend puff pastry and Paul's recipe as it gives you are real cook boost, I was beaming when they actually worked! And I'm going to say it again they are DELICIOUS!!

Thanks for Reading xx

Boots from Debenhams?

So I did find my perfect pair of brown suede lace up shoes but unfortunately somewhere between me paying for them and them being shipped they ran out of my size so now I'm on the hunt again, I've found these in Debenhams, there are two different colours but neither are spot on, what do you think or does anyone have an recommendations? 

Thanks for reading xx