Lemon Iced Fairy Cakes

For a midweek treat and with an afternoon off, I decided to bake some vanilla sponge fairy cakes. Not quite a cupcake, and definitely not a muffin, these bite size portions of sugary softness take me right back to my childhood when my sister and I would make Dennis the Menace fairy cakes with my Mum.

Although these fairy cakes are slightly more grown up, I still used a boxed mix from the supermarket. Yes, ok I know it's cheating but it's an awful lot easier when you don't have masses of time and they still come out delicious.* I also added a little lemon juice to mine to give it a bit of a zing. If you want to make the batter from scratch, I've used this recipe before and it came out great.

To finish off my cakes I topped them with a lemon icing and scattered some lemon zest on top for decoration.

This was also the first time I've tried out silicon cupcake cases. And I was very impressed. They kept their shape whilst cooking, were super easy to clean and are certainly easier to store in my tiny kitchen (and I mean tiny) than a metal baking tin. Plus you can bake many more at a time because you aren't restricted to the 12 holes in a tin. Absolutely brilliant.

*If you want to cheat like I did, I used Tesco Small Cake Mix - you only have to add one egg, beat and add some water.

New Jeans

I ordered this pair of jeans from ASOS late last week and because of the bank holiday and delays to the post, I am still waiting for them.

Like with all new purchases, I've envisaged in my mind the plethora of combinations I can create from my existing wardrobe and with a good pair of jeans, the opportunities are endless. The last time I bought jeans was two years ago, an excruciatingly skinny pair from Hollister. And they've served me well. I still love them. But I was in need of a little denim injection so have gone for a different shape this time. We'll see how it works out but as with any new relationship, I intend to be with them as much as possible.

With that in mind, instead of sitting peering out the window, waiting eagerly for the postman, I thought I would at least try to be constructive with my time and play around with some different looks.

Now all I need is to get them...

Jeans - A/Wear at ASOS, jumper - H&M, boots - H&M, necklace - Halleh at net-a-porter.com, clutch - Anya Hindmarch

Jeans as before, shirt - Topshop, bowling bag - Zara, gold cuff - ASOS, cork wedges - Christian Louboutin

Jeans as before, t-shirt - 3.1 Phillip Lim, Chelsea boots - ASOS, leather belt - Dolce & Gabbana, bag - Coach

♥ 5 Things

This weekend has been bliss. Being with friends, eating great food, going places I haven't been before and above all else, relaxing. Back to work tomorrow but until then, these are the things making me happy.

Seasonal fresh fruit and veg for a light lunch

Stunning sunset

Homemade banoffee pie for an evening treat (recipe here)

Getting a pedicure and experimenting with different colours - like this evergreen

Something else for the beauty regime. I bought this nail strengthener to apply to my nails once a day as they have a tendency to split and peel

A Seaside Visit

There are only a few weeks left until September will be upon us and uni starts again (doesn't time fly?!) so in a last ditch attempt to make the most of the warm weather, myself, boyfriend and some friends headed to Southend-On-Sea, Essex yesterday for some fresh air, fish and chips and soft ice cream.

View out to the pier

Fresh cinnamon dohnuts

Plum Jam Roly Poly

We spent last weekend at my Grandparents and as usual, on leaving we were ladled with about a weeks worth of food. Amongst it all we were given a jar of my Grandmother's homemade plum jam (made with home grown plums might I add). Although I love jam, I tend to find it difficult to use - if that makes sense. I prefer other things on my toast and savory things in my sandwiches, so often it ends up sitting in the cupboard for months on end unless I consciously decide to utilize it in a dessert.

And this is precisely what I did. Jam roly poly was the order of the day - a traditional, simple and nostalgic recipe which gives me (and others, I'm sure) a warm, fuzzy feeling when eaten straight from the oven with custard.

I used this recipe but didn't measure out the jam and instead just piled lots on in an attempt to use a whole jar.

Homemade plum jam

The dough mix

Rolled out

Jam layer

All rolled up

The finished product

Autumn Wishlist

Ok! Ok! I surrender! I can't resist any longer. Smelling Autumn round the corner I can't help but tempt myself with next seasons snugly knits, cuddly sheepskin and decadent leather. I tried to hold off as long as possible, because I simply don't want to wish the summer away, but it's pretty hard not to when the weather already feels like October.

I have already made one small purchase in the form of a khaki, Merino wool Banana Republic jumper (or sweater if you're reading this from over the pond). The colour makes it versatile yet the subtle sequin inserts in the shoulder prevent it from being "just another jumper".

Here are a few more things on my (mental) shopping list:

Platform tassel loafer - £255 Stuart Weitzman for Russell and Bromley (gorgeous with wooley tights and a mini dress)

Scarf - £295 Gucci (Although I'll probably just get a job lot of different coloured ones from the market)

Leopard print brogues - £32 Topshop (a staple with jeans or adds detail to all black)

J Brand Martini Mid Rise Skinny Flare Jean in Mayflower - £189 ASOS (I love this season's variety of denim shapes and this is my favourite. Another for the collection)

Brown leather boots - £500 Alexander Wang (Incredible quality and classic style)

Berry shift dress - £49.99 Zara (Transitions all the way from Autumn to next Spring, adding and removing layers as you go)

Patent black wedges - £39.99 Zara (smarten up any casual outfit without getting foot ache from a stilleto)

Tan leather clutch - £35 ASOS (neutral colour, soft leather - a great basic to have for your weekend wardrobe)

Tweed jacket - £79.99 Zara (another basic which will see you from season to season. Perfect with jeans and a T)

Cosmo Blog Awards Nomination

I've entered Cosmopolitan magazine's blog awards this year. Although I'm not quite sure my blog can compete with what else is out there, at the end of the day somebody has to win and hey, why couldn't it be me?

If you have a spare minute and would kindly like to nominate me, you can do so by clicking here. I've entered under the Established Fashion Blog (more than 18 months old) category and you have until the end of the month to nominate.

Thank you so very much in advance for anyone who goes forth and nominates. Let me know if you voted by commenting under this post and leaving your email address or alternatively email me - I have a little idea for a future post.

Weekend Away

I haven't had a lot of time to relax this summer. I seem to have unintentionally taken up most of my days with work so this weekend is a much welcomed break. My Mum is coming to visit from Spain so in a whirlwind of a weekend we have lots of family visits to squeeze in and a very special 50th wedding anniversary celebration to go to on Saturday. I can't wait. A weekend full of food, cuddles and catch up - what could be more perfect?

It took me a little while to decide what to pack (Jeans or skirt? Cardigan or jacket? Both?), especially since the weather has been so unpredictable. Essentially it's only three days worth of outfits which I need and I've tried to stick to that. I don't want to have to deal with the last minute panic of what to wear each morning - one option = no fuss. So below is an image of the six pieces which I'll be taking with me to form three outfits. That's right, six.

Clockwise from top: Monochrome geometric print dress, blue and cream striped satin top, both from Blanco. Black blazer from Stradivarius, Coach grey Merino wool cardigan, white slim cut jeans from Pimkie, light pink cotton t-shirt from Pepe Jeans.

Not forgetting footwear, I'm taking three pairs. Cream pom pom wedges, black patent heels (as another option to the dress as well as the wedges) and black patent flats.

Heels - Aldo, wedges - Zara, flats - New Look

Jewellery wise I'm taking my Burberry leather wrap bracelet and Tiffany key necklace for casual and Swarovski earrings for the anniversary.

Have a great weekend!

How To Dress A Little More Glam Everyday

Opening September's issue of Glamour magazine, I found this intriguing feature, and it got me thinking. What do I do each day to make myself feel a little less high street and a little more Bond Street? I'm not just going to repeat the same things the article already says about the clothes but rather go through the small details which complete a look.

This is my list:

1. A statement lip

If it's not a deep berry or a bright red then I'll go with a simple glossy pink or nude but I try to make sure that even if I'm not bothered with the rest of my face, I at least put something on my lips before leaving the house. Somehow a bit of lipstick instantly says "I've made effort".

2. Make sure my nails are always clean and polished

This is something I struggle with if it's not followed through. If my nails are chipped or messy then I, for some reason, feel sloppy all over. Or at least not complete. I'd rather have nothing on my nails (but have them clean and shaped) than a chipped colour.

3. Sneak in a wedge whenever I can

As women, when we wear heels we feel sexier, feminine and more confident. Well I atleast do. And a wedge is not as difficult to commit to as a stiletto heel (if you end up walking a mile, you aren't totally screwed) and in the words of Jessie J, you don't want to wear heels so high that you can't even have a good time. Plus, if you have a shorter hemline then I think it's nicer to have a little height over a flat.

4. Wear timeless, classic jewellery

I rarely shop for jewellery (most of it was a gift) and when I do, I pick my pieces carefully. I tend to have a small selection which I rotate depending on my mood/outfit and this consists of my Tiffany key necklace, my Grandmother's ring, clear crystal studs or Swarovski drop earrings and an occasional Swarovski bangle or bracelet.

5. If my hair is not freshly washed it goes straight into a sleek pony or bun

Earlier today I had to open my front door to my neighbour with horrific unwashed and messy hair (mine that is, not my neighbours) and it's been haunting me all day. I never usually get myself into that kind of a situation but I'd just got out of bed and obviously then had no time to put it up. Even if I'm just resting at home, I still have to have it done, even if it is just a simple pony tail. (I am distinctly aware at this point after reading through my post that I am sounding insanely vain - I assure you, this is not the case. Please tell me I'm not the only one who has these little mantras to live by...)

6. Always wear a subtle dab of perfume on the sides of my neck and inside forearms

We all like to smell nice don't we? And we all have a favourite perfume. Mine happens to be Dior's J'Adore - subtle, pretty and delicate. I love the idea of someone hugging me and getting a slight whiff of my perfume.

7. Always wear good/pretty underwear

Another perhaps anal idiosyncrasy but it really is just good sense and I just feel better about the way I look when I know I've got a good base to build upon. Not to mention it makes your clothes hang better.

So there we have it. My perhaps not so modest list of "glam" things I do every day. Well at least I'm honest and I know I'm not the only one. What do you do to give your outfit (or yourself) a little extra sparkle?

Little Bo Peep

T-shirt - Uniqlo, skirt - Zara, wedges - Zara, necklace - Tiffany & Co

Little Bo Peep needn't worry. I found her sheep safe a sound. On my skirt.

I've had this skirt for a few years now after buying it in Zara when I went through a stage of having a penchant for dainty prints and chiffon pleating. I feel all of these trends have made a reappearance so it was time to break it out of hibernation for a warm and windy August day.

I teamed it with a grey stretch T, my cheesecloth pom-pom wedges and a top knot in the pursuit of off-duty chic.