Listing your life away...

Howdy Ladies!

How are you all doing this fine day?

I have had a bit of a strange week. I have found myself in the same situation as many other graduates - I has no job. I went from being severely down in the dumps to enlightened. I realised that instead of focusing on the negative, which I can't change at the moment anyway because there are no teaching jobs out there, I should put my energy into something constructive.

I have had so many ideas buzzing in my head and this has led me to put together a list of 10 things I want to do before I hit 30. I know it sounds a bit silly but I am 22 and I feel that I have not done much in my life. I went from primary school to high school, to college, to university (under grad), to university (post grad). I had around 4 jobs while I was doing my undergrad degree. Don't get me wrong - I have loved all of it - I have achieved so much academically, I have great friends and family, I have had the most amazing experiences - BUT, I feel like I should have done more.

I have always wanted to travel, become more independent and go out in the big bad world and just go for it!

Here is a list of 10 things I want to do before I turn 30...

1. Go on a pilgrimage.

2. Road trip through the US.

3. Explore Paris.

4. Have my cake business up and running (to a certain degree).

5. Get a real job!

6. Get married and have a mini meeeeeeeeeeeeee.

7. Have my own happy family.

8. Anything that scares the shit out of me - bungee jumping, sky diving, skiing, anything!

9. Actually learn how to play my guitar! 

10. Stop caring what other people think.

So that is my little list.

What is on yours?

Do you make lists like this?

Or do you just go with the flow of life?

The Cupcake Tragedy

The Easter holidays have begun and I have made a promise to myself that I WILL enjoy the first few days before I get bogged down with work. Over the weekend I decided to reconnect with my little cousin who I haven't seen in a few weeks because I have been crazy busy with uni work.

Our favourite past time is baking cupcakes, so I picked her up, brought her to my house, got out our aprons, and got baking! It was such a gorgeous day and the fact that I was spending it with one of my favourite people made it even more spectacular. 

We worked together for a couple of hours baking cakes for her and my family and nattering [as much as you can natter with a 5 year old]. We made the frosting while we waited for our cupcakes to bake, coloured it, flavoured it, and then decided what type of design we would go for. The little one wanted roses so we decided to make flower cupcakes!

This is what they looked like...

We were both incredibly proud of our hard days work and decided to stick her cupcakes in a tin so her mummy and daddy could see what lovely treats she had made for them. 

We walked to her house ever so carefully so as not to mess up the cupcake frosting. 

When we got there, she grabbed the tin excitedly to show her grandparents her cupcakes...and...BOOM!

 The tin fell onto the floor, her face dropped, and her little eyes filled with tears.

We were lucky because the cakes did their little dance with death IN the tin so apart from the frosting being totally destroyed they were still edible...

But it wasn't the same...

Have you had any baking adventures recently?

Rainbow Cakes

 I have been inspired by these rainbow cakes to try something different for my mum's birthday cake next week. I love how versatile you can be with the designs, the shock of colour and how yummy they look!

What is your favourite yummy treat?

Culture, Couture and Cake

I had the most amazing day today; I spent it with a friend in Manchester to celebrate her birthday. The day was filled to the brim with funny banter, giggles and memories that will stay with us forever. We strolled around the city centre catching up with what was happening in each others lives, browsed through shops that were filled with things we couldn't afford, took in the buzzing atmosphere of the booming city and absorbed the culture that oozes out of every street that you turn into.

Here are a few of my favourite photos from today...

This Victorian style pub was a contrast to the modern city centre and buildings that surrounded it, but its ambiance drew the crowds in.

We acted like proper tourists so jumped at the chance of going on the Manchester Eye when we came across it. I love this picture, because not only can you see the harsh realism between the man-made metal machine and the open sky,, but it also makes you realise that you only play the main character in your own life and there are so many bigger things out there.

I am an architectural geek! 

I tried on the Nails Inc Magnetic Polish and I LOVE it! As you can see, it comes in a variety of colours and leaves a gorgeous print on your nails. At £13 for one nail varnish I think it is a bit too expensive but it will be a great present or treat for yourself. 

We bought cupcakes from a stall in the market place. After a day of walking, we were shattered, looking forward to resting our aching feet on the train and treating ourselves to these beautiful cupcakes. We were SO disappointed! The cakes were dry, hard and the icing had no flavour to it. However, the company was great and this little incident didn't dampen the spirit. I just wanted to let you see the amazing presentation that conned us out of £5.

How has your weekend been?

Take a step back...

I have spent the last few days relaxing because I have got a hectic few months ahead as I near the end of my PGCE! 

I enjoyed drinking cloudy lemonade (my favourite after pink lemonade) and indulging in belgian chocolate chip shortbread.

I find painting my nails very therapeutic so took this chance to coat them in a shocking red (Nails Inc). I cut and filed my nails as well because, for me, bright colours look better on shorter nails.

I enjoyed catching up on all the latest fashion gossip reading my Elle magazine. I was really pleased with this issue, because not only did it have great content but it also had a free Soap&Glory mascara (worth £10), a sample for the new Rimmel foundation and an invitation for a free Dior eye make up lesson. I do a review on the mascara soon.

Deep Freeze

The delayed winter has finally graced us with its presence and it looks like as if it is here to stay! This morning I woke up to my Dad ringing from his work warning me to be careful when I leave the house because these was black ice on both roads and pavements. I should have had paid a bit more heed to his advice...

Stepping out of my house this morning to go to the Doctor's resulted in me doing a little dance with death on the black ice and then falling flat on my backside. A lovely lady who was walking by stopped to help me (she probably had a giggle about it later with her friends but I appreciated the gesture). Deciding that the world was against me, I crawled back into the house, called the Doc's to say I wanted to cancel my appointment and then I crawled back into my bed to block out the cold.

I ventured back outside at 3pm to go into town and was amazed at how frozen my car was!

I went shopping for some delayed birthday, wedding AND Christmas presents (needless to say that I was very broke at the end of the shopping trip). I love shopping for presents and today was an extra special day because Mummy N passed one of her first exams, so the sister and I decided we should spoil her.

We treated our mum to some pink roses that were doused in glitter. Flowers are always a great idea for presents because there are different kinds to suit ANY occasion, and they last for such a long time basking you in their glorious fragrance.  Our living room smells heavenly! 

We also got some lovely 'little' cakes to celebrate in style. I mean, how can anyone have any type of celebration without cakes?

How are you surviving the deep freeze?

Bliss!

Life has a habit of creeping up and passing by before you have a chance to appreciate those little moments that fill you with joy, elevate your soul and make you 'YOU'!

I am going to take the simple task of recording those moments of utter simplicity that enhance and enlighten my day and share them with you. Life has so many burdens, so much trouble and so much stress; it is easy to forget that real moments of happiness.

Today, I spent the day at home (kids: skiving off university is bad!) to catch up with an endless list of errands. It was a long, laborious day but sitting down with the family in the evening and devouring a chocolate fudge brownie with whipped cream and berries was such a blissful moment that it took away the darkness and gloom I had felt sifting through my bills.

What was your moment of pure bliss today?