Pumpkin Spice Bake

Today I made these delicious pumpkin spice cupcakes and pumpkin cake for autumn/halloween time. The bake looks so autumnal and the pumpkin flavour is really tasty, especially in the cake, as it's lovely and moist. I made mine using gluten free flour instead, but you can just use ordinary flour if you'd prefer. Also, for the cooked pureed pumpkin, as it's not the most common item, in the UK, Waitrose sell 'Libby's Pumpkin Puree' and that's what I used. So here's how to make everything;

For the cupcakes...
Ingredients: 140g gluten free plain flour, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tbsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 55g butter, 100g caster sugar, 2.5 tbsp brown soft sugar, 1 egg, 90ml milk, 125g cooked pureed pumpkin, Betty Crocker Vanilla Icing, Orange sprinkles.

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, milk and pumpkin puree and mix together. Combine the flour, spices, salt and baking powders in a separate bowl before adding into the main mixture. Finally divide the cake mixture into 12 cupcake cases and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown in colour. Once they have cooled, pipe on the icing (or just dollop it on like I did)  and add little orange sprinkles. Enjoy x

For the Cake...
Ingredients: 3 large eggs, 240g light brown sugar, 120ml olive oil, one 15oz can of pumpkin puree,
2 tsp vanilla extract, 300g gluten free flour, 1tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1tsp baking powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1tsp ground nutmeg, 1tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp salt.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the brown sugar and beat until smooth. Then add the pumpkin, oil and vanilla extract and mix together. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients, and a little at a time, incorporate it into the main cake mixture. Pour the cake mixture into a prepared baking tin. Bake for 35 minutes or until the cake is firm and a knife comes out clean. Enjoy x

Autumn Haul

Finally it's Autumn, my favourite season, and I've recently purchased a few new items which I love, especially during this time of year...

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - Vanilla
So, not necessarily an autumn essential, but I've been looking for a really good concealer, especially for under the eyes. I'd heard a lot about this one, and as my first Nars product, I'm really impressed.  It's definitely creamy, with a velvety smooth texture and great coverage, which is what I like, as I find with other concealers, they don't quite cover up the darkness under my eyes. However, with this concealer it's buildable to a higher coverage and a smooth finish, without it looking all cakey. I bought mine in 'Vanilla' which is perfect for my pale skin tone but I know they do an even lighter colour called 'Chantilly' and a further 9 shades for other skin types too. Even though its quite pricey at £22, I think it's worth it for the quality, and will last a while too.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Black Cherry 477
As it's coming up to the colder time of year, the darker lips come in. I needed a new berry toned lipstick and found this one which is perfect. It's very similar to Charlotte Tilbury's 'Glastonberry' just a lot cheaper! Its super moisturising and it stays on pretty well, but I did need to reapply it a couple of times throughout the whole day. Although it does stay on well when eating and drinking. Personally I love the shade, it looks really dark, but on the lips it's much lighter and a gorgeous plummy shade. Will definitely be wearing it a lot throughout the next few months. I purchased it for £7.99 from Superdrug.

Tartan Scarf - Johnstons Lambswool Dress Stewart
My favourite thing to wear during this time of year is a tartan scarf. I think it's the best autumn essential and even though I have a couple already, I don't think you can have enough. I really like the cream colour with the hints of purple and berry in the tartan, it matches the Revlon lipstick perfectly! It's 100% wool and very cosy, not itchy at all, and, 'Johnstons' is an authentic brand, using the finest cashmere for all their knitwear. I ordered mine from ASOS at £25.

Abbott Lyon Watch - Dove White Covent White
It was recently my birthday and I received this beautiful watch from Abbott Lyon. I had been looking for one for some time and then I came across Abbott Lyon and loved their designs, especially this one from their 'Covent Series'. All their watches are designed and handcrafted in Britain which I really like, and this particular style is built from a gold plated stainless steel with a clean white face, which is elegant and minimalistic. I particularly love the simple white leather strap, it goes with every outfit and I wear it all the time!

York Trip

Took my camera to York for a few days, and had an amazing time exploring the city for the first time.  I couldn't believe how calm it was for a city, with it not being overly crowded or even that noisy compared to other major towns or cities I have visited. So, one of the main things I did there was shop (obviously) as they had a really good choice of high-street shops and many other independent  ones too, aswell as this we walked up and down the iconic Shambles which had further shops and cafes. On one of the nights we did a Ghost Tour, which are very popular in York. Its a very historic place and known as one of the most haunted cities in England, so we enjoyed all the stories that were told. However I would recommend looking at the other tours they do as some are more theatrical with actors (so we might do that next time). We also visited the York Art Gallery, the City Museum and York Minster which was stunning. The food we had was so nice, from lovely meals in the evening to delicious coffee breaks with homemade cakes during the day. Best of all though, I came across the best restaurant ever, called Filmore and Union and it is the perfect place to go if you are intolerant to dairy/ gluten or a vegan ( or even if your none of these) but pretty much the whole menu is free from wheat and dairy and the choices on the menu are amazing. I cannot describe how good the brownies are too, we went a couple of times and on both occasions I ordered firstly, the chocolate brownie and then the white chocolate and raspberry blondie.

Anglesey Abbey Gardens

Took my camera to Anglesey Abbey gardens in Cambridge and thought I would share some of the photos I have from there. I wanted to visit because it was my schools photography competition, so was hoping to gain some inspiration at the gardens, but I didn't end up putting through any of the photos I took. (However the photo I did put through is at the end.) Luckily it was such a lovely day and we ended up sitting out in the sun at the cafe, to have lunch and some amazing cake :)

This is the photo I entered under the category: CREATIVE VISIONS.

May Favourites

Here are my monthly faves, just some of the items I have been especially loving during May...

Si - Giorgio Armani

A new fragrance to my collection and although I have been trying to save it, to wear for special occasions, I just can't help myself by being drawn to it every morning. Every time I wear it people are asking what it is, so this is definitely a favourite. I guess it smells fresh and floral yet sophisticated, its quite sweet but subtle and the packaging is just stunning, Love it!

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush - 15 Seductive Pink

I needed a new blush and was searching round Boots trying out different ones, but this caught my eye. This shade is perfect for my fair skin tone as it's not too pink, just adding a natural colour to the cheeks, perfect for everyday. It also contains multi-tonal pigments adding a highlight too, a perfect two in one product.

Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint Lip Balm - Budding Blossom

I was given this as a Christmas present from my Godmother but during this May I have been wearing it non stop! It's perfect for spring and summer as it adds a natural pop of colour to your lips but isn't too bright, as it adjusts to your lips' natural tone. It's also really moisturising which I love as I don't have to slather on a load of vaseline before applying it!

Pink Stone necklace - Brandy Melville

I instantly fell in love with this necklace in the shop and had to get it. Firstly because it's so simple and delicate and also because the gem stone is pale pink, and I love light pink jewellery, especially with the gold chain too. I have literally been wearing it everyday and is now one of my fave necklaces adding an elegant and minimal look to my outfits.

Lastly, I recently purchased Madeline Shaws' Recipe Book - Get the Glow. The recipes are healthy for your body, inside and out, containing ingredients that are really good for you, even in the desserts! Best of all though, because I'm gluten and dairy free, this book helps a lot, as all the recipes use other alternitive ingredients that are free from wheat and dairy, I can't wait to choose something to make!
I also love that for every recipe, there's a picture beside it so you can see what it should look like, and it's beautifully presented too :)

Brighton: Food

The food in Brighton was definitely the highlight of the trip because everything we tasted was so good! Walking down all the streets there was so much choice of where to eat. We ate out for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day and we couldn't fault a single meal. Every place had a really calm and contemporary feel to it, and in the cafes, the displays at the front were gorgeous- especially all the cakes and deserts which were so tempting! The BEST thing I had though, was on the 2nd day for lunch, at 'The Creperie.' We were originally going to go for breakfast but having walked about 3 miles along the sea front and asking directions to the place, we arrived and it was closed... (didn't open till 12) but, at least we had lunch sorted and I was so pleased we went back as they were the most scrummiest crepes EVER! My topping- banana, strawberries, salted caramel, melted chocolate and nutella... not the healthiest but very delicious.

Brighton Days

Took my Camera to Brighton, this Easter holidays, for 3 days. So happy to have a break and spend some time in sunny Brighton (although there were gale force winds most of the time!)

It was my first time and I loved a lot about the place, especially; the architecture, unique street style and the food - which I will do a separate post on because it was just amazing! We ended up walking about 7 miles a day, exploring the streets and finding little shops and cafes. We visited the big shopping centre there - Churchill square and mooched around the lanes and antique shops. On the last day we went to the Royal Pavilion, where inside is an art gallery and museum.