Wednesday, 28 September 2016

GBBO Botanical Week

It's botanical week on the Great British Bake off this week, so, in celebration of that, I thought I'd whip up some cupcakes and pipe icing on them to make them look a little bit like roses. So I thought I'd share the recipe on here, even though they're just bog standard vanilla cupcakes and buttercream.

You will need:

For the cake:
115g softened butter
115g Caster sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
115g self-raising flour
1 tablespoon milk

For the icing:
75g softened butter
175g Icing sugar
splash of vanilla
splash of red food colouring

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4. Line a cupcake tray with 12 paper cases.

2. Beat together the butter and caster sugar until combined. Add the eggs gradually, same with the vanilla and milk. 

3. Fold in the flour until well combined. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases and give them a shake so they're all the same size. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they pass the knife test.

4. transfer to a wire rack to cool and start on the icing.

5. For the icing, beat together the butter and icing sugar until combined, then add the vanilla and food colouring and combine all of that.

6. When the cakes are cool, pipe the icing onto the cakes and voila.

Next week's recipe will be a bit more complex, I promise.

Nic
xx

Monday, 19 September 2016

A Ladybird Colouring Book: Cinderella





Book- c/o Penguin Random House

A couple of weeks ago, I was sent this absolutely beautiful little book from Puffin Books, an adorable little Colouring book which also tells the story of Cinderella. The book has some beautiful illustrations in it which are left blank for you to colour in- an attribute which I think would make a great addition to any bookshelf, or indeed as a lovely present. I think it's amazing how the company are doing this, as it opens up the fairytale more and really gets people involved in the reading of it; creating a truly immersive experience for both children and adults.

The book is released September 2016, and, at only £6.99, it is a very purse friendly way to add a beloved fairytale to your Colouring book collection.

Nic
xx

Wednesday, 14 September 2016

My Hogwarts Story


1. Are you pure-blood, half-blood or muggle born?

I think I would probably be half-blood. Or pure-blood. Yeah, actually, pure-blood.

2. Which wand chose you? What is it made of?


My wand chose me on Pottermore, it's laurel wood with a unicorn core, 14 and a quarter inch, and a slightly springy flexibility.

3. Did you take an owl, cat or toad with you?

100% took a cat.

4. What house did the sorting hat place you in?

Slytherin.

5. What house did you want to be in?

I'm glad I got Slytherin, but I would've also liked to have been in Ravenclaw.

6. What are your favourite and least favourite lessons?

My favourite is a toss-up between charms and transfiguration, and my least favourite is divination.

7. The form your Patronus takes is...

I think a gazelle or a deer. I think these animals have a youthful spirit, much like myself. Plus, y'know, the whole being a dancer thing.

8. When confronted with a Boggart, what form does it take? 

ET.

9. Do you partake in any sports or magical hobbies?

Definitely not Quidditch, maybe Flitwick's orchestra or choir.

10. Where do you spend your free time?

Probably in the library, or Hogsmeade.

11. You are most likely to get detention for what?

I would never get detention.

12. What career would you like after Hogwarts?

I would like to be a teacher, at either Hogwarts or Beaxbatons.

Nic
xx

Friday, 9 September 2016

An Afternoon at the Cat Cafe











Last Sunday I met up with some of my favourite fellow Disney ladies (Sammy, Jade and Rachel) for a day out in Manchester. After discovering that we're all cat people at the Manchester Disney meet a couple of months ago, we decided to take a trip to the newly-opened Cat Cafe in the Northern Quarter. We had to wait about 40 minutes for a table, but whilst we were waiting we chatted about all things Disney so it passed the time.

We were in the cafe for an hour, which, at £1 for every five minutes, cost us £12 each. The drinks were all free, and I think I managed three drinks, so it was definitely worth the money we paid. We saw I think nine cats in total, and they were all so cute. Jade even fed ham to one of them. 

After the cats, we were all hungry, so we took a trip to Home Sweet Home for some food. Then we had to stop in Primark and, of course, the Disney Store, before heading home, with fresh Disney plans. 

These girls are honestly some of my faves ever, and I can't wait to make more memories with them. (I'm so cheesy)

Nic
xx

Thursday, 8 September 2016

Trans-Seasonal





Dress- H! By Henry Holland / Jumper- Paris

The trans-seasonal weather is the most annoying thing, one minute it's hot, the next it's cold and rainy. That is exactly what happened today; this morning it was pouring with rain, so I layered my turtleneck underneath this dress, and then by this afternoon it was sunny and boiling hot, so I wore my sunglasses.

Speaking of this dress, how cute is it? It is one of four that my mum gave me after deciding she was too old for them. But yay for me. I'll be wearing them layered a lot this season I think.


Nic
xx

Tuesday, 6 September 2016

What I Want to do this Autumn


As a season, Autumn is growing on me year by year, and I like to write lists of little things that I want to do each season, and so, here is my Autumn one. (Btw I know Autumn hasn't officially started yet, but it will do soon)

1. Try lots of new recipes.
2. Get some pastel turtlenecks/rollnecks.
3. Watch the Gilmore Girls revival.
4. Finish of the cosplay year with a trip to MCM Expo.
5. Buy some new ankle boots.
6. Watch Stranger Things again.
7. Take a trip.
8. Discover some new bath bombs.
9. Get writing again.
10. Make a start on Christmas shopping.

Nic
xx

Sunday, 4 September 2016

Rosie's Kitchen





As far as Stockport goes, there's not really very much in terms of nice places to eat. Then, one day, when Barratts shoes closed down, there was an empty unit. Fast forward a few months, and Rosie's Kitchen opened. I walked past it so many times thinking, I want to go in there, and, last Wednesday, I finally decided to go in.




The cakes alone were enough to make me want to go in, and the normal food was absolutely gorgeous too. Lee got a steak ciabatta and I got a fish finger sandwich, which consisted of cod goujons, mushy peas and tartar sauce on a brioche bun. It was honestly the nicest fish finger butty I've ever had, and Lee said his ciabatta was also lovely. I washed it down with a rise lemonade, which I obviously got because it was pink. Then came the cake choice. I ended up selecting a mint chocolate slice which I took home in a doggy bag. I love going out to eat and discovering new places, and Rosie's is now firmly at the top of my list of places in Stockport.


Nic
xx

Friday, 2 September 2016

August in Instagram


New Disney / Cursed Child / caught a Jigglypuff / Briar Rose pin / new mug / baby shower cupcake.


Missing Disneyland Paris / all the Eeveelutions / my newest alpaca / Laura Trott / caught a Rapidash / started my Zelda cosplay.


Reverse of my new mug / Disney dreaming / my cosplays so far this year / Zelda progress / Laura Trott again / made a Sleeping Beauty's Castle frame.


Potential wig browsing / flowers / new recipe book / planning a group cosplay / beautiful ears/ pink candles.


Curry night / unicorn hanger / Tampopo for tea / badges / cakes / homemade biscotti.

How was your August?

Nic
xx