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!