easter/end of year treats

(L) 'All That Glitters' (R) 'Mystery'

My palette is slowly filling up!

So I was lucky enough to get money for easter so instead of spending it on boring things like food or cleaning products (who needs those anyway right?) I decided to treat myself for easter and because I have officially finished my first year of university! I handed in my last essay on Monday and it was such a relief. This year has flown by, but I'm lucky enough to still be living in my uni city this term, just to enjoy being independent and spending time with my bestest chums!

Of course my first stop was MAC, I simply cannot go into High Cross shopping centre without picking something up in there. I'm slowly but surely filling up my 15 pan palette so picked up two more shades 'All That Glitters' and 'Mystery' which fit with my neutral theme. I was desperate for another lipstick and after seeing someone instagram a photo of 'Crosswires' I kinda wanted it to be mine right away. It's a new formula compared to my other MAC lipsticks as it's a Cremesheen but still doesn't disappoint on pigmentation or moisturisation. Finally a mascara, something I'd never thought to go to MAC for until I received a tester of the 'Zoom Fast Black Lash' through with an online order and within one use I was sold. It wings out my lashes and gives them incredible length and volume. I like that it has a bristle brush which is tapered meaning that each lash is coated evenly with a strong black colour. 

Next was Topshop in search of something to wear tonight for our first night out back at uni, as soon as I walked through the door I spotted the white crop top with lace flower detailing and knew it was coming home with me. It's a fail safe which can be worn with shorts, jeans or patterned trousers and look great. I can tell I'll be wearing this non-stop in the summer.

Then the Body Shop where I picked up the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil, a Kate from gh0stparties influenced purchase, am yet to try this, but promises great things! It smells wonderful and has a pump which I love for this sort of cleanser, it means you don't waste a single drop! 

And finally Primark, I just picked up a back up blouse for either tonight or another night, but could also be worn in the day time. It's a muted-fluroescent peach and just compliments my skin tone and hair colour well, I love my blouses and for £8 it was a bargain! Then a pair of simple black earrings to wear tonight or whenever, again for a pound, you can't go wrong. 

easter cupcakes

Easter is well and truly upon us, with Good Friday yesterday and Easter Sunday tomorrow, what did you get up to? Good Friday for me was spent at my church as we have a morning service at 10am and then children from the local area arrive to take part in crafts so I had my own little group to take around and they were all little darlings, thankfully! Tomorrow will be another service and then a BBQ with my Mum's side of the family, which is the whole reason I made these cakes - mum said we'd provide dessert so we have these plus other trifles and puds, yum! 

Although I sometimes think myself as Mary Berry reincarnated, the recipe is simple, a basic cupcake mix but this gives you the freedom to tailor the decorating to whatever occasion. I was going to do pink and yellow icing but the shop had run out of yellow so decided on pink and blue mixed into pastel shades to fit in with a spring theme. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, I don't bake as much as I used to because the oven at university it totally pants and I don't have time, but this afternoon I gave it a whirl and they were a success. 

The Recipe:- (Makes 12)

Ingredients: 

For the Cakes

• 150g softened unsalted butter
• 150g caster sugar
• 3 eggs
• 150g self raising flour

For the Buttercream

• 175g softened unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp milk
• 350g icing sugar
• Food colouring of your choice
• Sweets to decorate

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°c/Gas Mark 4 and put 12 paper cases into a bun tray.
2. Place the butter and caster sugar in a large bowl and beat (with an electric mixer if preferred) until soft and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs.
3. Sift in the flour and then using a metal spoon, fold in gently. 
4. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases and bake in the pre-heated oven for 18-22 minutes. To check if they are done, poke in a skewer - if it comes out clean, then they are ready. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool.
5. To make the buttercream, put the butter in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer for a few minutes, until pale and creamy. Add the milk and sift in the flour, then mix for a further 2-3 minutes. Divide into two bowls and beat in a little food colouring into each. 
6. Swirl the buttercream on top of the cooled caks and decorate with sweets.

It's as simple as that!