Chocolate Finger Cake!

Hello!

Yesterday I did some baking and I asked if you wanted a blogpost on the cake I made and you said yes! I couldn't think of a good name for this though, so you'll have to put up with 'Chocolate Finger Cake' which sounds tempting enough! I would also like to say, as with my other baking post, I took the photos using my iPhone rather than using my cameras, so the quality isn't the best, sorry!

You'll need to preheat your oven to around 180 degrees.

The ingredients you'll need for the cake itself are butter, sugar, self raising flour and eggs. You'll need a bowl for the mixture and some scales to weigh ingredients out with. As you can see I was (rather fittingly) watching an episode of The Great British Bake Off on my iPad whilst baking!

Weigh out 200g of butter and 200g of sugar in a bowl and cream them together.

Next, you need to weigh out 200g of self raising flour and add it to the mixture, then add 2 eggs and stir until the mix is all smooth and all the flour and egg is mixed in well.

At this point, Freddy and Florence had realised that I was making some kind of food and were trying to look cute so I would give them a bit. Their plan failed.

Now you need to grease two cake tins (or one large one) and put half the mixture in one and the other half in the other. They are now ready to go into the oven.

Bake the cakes until they are golden brown and cooked all the way through, I can't remember how long it took for mine to bake, it was probably about 25 minutes.

Next is the exciting bit - decorating! I used chocolate fudge icing that I found in Aldi and put it inside the cake, on the top and around the edges, it doesn't have to be neat at this point!

You'll need 2 boxes of chocolate fingers for this bit! You need to place them around the edge of the cake.

You can choose whatever fruits you like, and how ever many you want to put on a cake, I chose strawberries and raspberries. I chopped the strawberries in half and the put all the strawberries and raspberries on the top of the cake, there's no real method to this, you can just place them randomly!

This is the finished cake! I think it looks really impressive and would be great for birthdays or just for when you feel like baking a fancy looking cake!

I hope you enjoyed this blogpost and found it helpful! If you do try it out, feel free to tag me in a photo!

You can follow this blog on bloglovin, there's a button near the top of the page and if I'm right we are nearly at 50 bloglovin followers!

I'll see you with another blogpost soon!

Lots of love,

Emma xxx

My Piece of Summer - Lauren

Hello!

I am super sorry that I haven't posted I don't think since my first post here, so I am so so sorry, but hopefully I can get a few more ideas in my head, meaning some more posts :)

We've decided to create a blogpost each, telling you guys about our summers. I was hesitant at first to write this post, as it seemed I didn't do much throughout the summer. But when I came to think about it, although I didn't go on holiday anywhere, I still did some really fun things which I would love to share with you all!

On the first week of summer, I went out with a group of my friends to the local fields and we had a really relaxing day, playing with the football and just chatting and singing. It was different because there was 3 boys who came with us girls as well, so having all of my friends together was really fun.

The rest of the summer I only met with my friends twice, and that's only because they all went away for long periods of time and at the same time!

But whilst they were on holiday, I went to a drama summer camp with my sister, my friend Harry and my cousin Tom.

This year at Blast! we performed a show, which time travelled to the previous shows we have done. It was so fun because I remember all the songs and dances from these previous shows and it was so great to be able to visit these musicals again. This year I was a narrator, Plato to be exact, and I had to wear a long gown and a big ginger beard! It was so uncomfortable, but I got some great laughs from it! Here a few snaps of the dress rehearsal...

Another thing I did this summer is go to Summer in the City 2014. 

I was planning on going to meet Zoe Sugg (Zoella) however I wasn't able to get a space in the line, as there were so many Sugglets! 

I didn't actually go to any of the meet and greets, but I did however go to Louise's (SprinkleofGlitter) little performace/panel, Glitter Time or The Sprinkle of Glitter Experience! 

It was so lovely to sit in a room of around 200/250 viewers, with Louise on stage, talking and answering our questions for an hour. I also got to see Hazel, Zoe and Jack (Howard), and it was better than standing in a two hour queue! 

The next thing, is something pretty nerdy, but something I am quite proud of. This summer I read seven books, four paperbacks and three wattpad stories. And may I add, I finished each book the day I started them...

1) Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist - Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

This book is about two teenagers. Nick is at a venue he has just played at with his band, and as he's on stage, he sees his ex-girlfriend in the crowd. As he leaves the stage and enters the bar, Nick's ex-girlfriend comes over to talk to him. To save himself from embarrassment, he asks the random, yet pretty, stranger next to him, to be his fake girlfriend for five minutes. 

Meet Nora. 

The story of one night in New York unfolds, as you learn more and more about each character. Each chapter, dual narrating, making it possible for the reader to understand both points of view.

I highly recommend this book for someone who wishes to read a book over the weekend or if you simply want to read something when you have a spare moment. 

It's fantastic, and I found out it's actually been turned into a film and you can watch it on Netflix.

2) Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

This book is about a new girl, Eleanor, her family life is chaotic and her style of clothing is not something everyone at her new school is keen on. The people at school aren't actually keen on Eleanor herself, her red hair and style makes her stick out like a sore thumb, but it's only when Park come to her rescue that they leave her alone.

Park is someone who likes to think they're invisible. Sitting alone in his world of books and music, social contact isn't something Park is used to. 

But when Eleanor sits next to him on the school bus, he can't be invisible. 

I cried at this book. 

I cry at a lot of books actually, and even though I read this book in a day, I still got emotionally attached to Eleanor. She has red hair, so have I, her style in music and clothing is something I admire. When I read books like these, I always imagine these people to be real and as the story goes on. Some of the things that were happening to Eleanor made me scared and my heart started beating faster and faster. 

I think it's a really interesting and emotional read for older readers who don't mind reading books about love, loss and deep family/social issues.

3) Paper Towns - John Green

Paper Towns is the second book I have read that is written by the master, John Green.

It tells the reader of the strong friendship between Margo and Q (Quentin) and how the two of them became best friends and how the two of them fell apart. 

Through their years of friendship, Q realises that he has always loved Margo, she was so pretty and mysterious. 

The book is written through Q's eyes and tells us the adventures he embarks on as he goes on an all night road trip with Margo. But when she doesn't turn up to school the next day, or the day after and doesn't make any sign of existence for around 20 days, Q goes on an adventure to find Margo Roth Spiegelman, after she leaves hidden clues to her disappearance.

I also cried at this book.

I cried at how much Q loves Margo and I cried at how much Margo didn't realise the love Q had for her. 

Paper Towns is an emotional journey seen through the eyes of a teenage social reject and gamer boy. How old friendships are re-instated, new friendships are formed and how love is the final piece in this huge puzzle which all started with a dead man in the park.

Paper Towns is also being turned into a film, with Nat Wolff cast as the main character, Q. 

4) The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han

This book is slightly different to the others I read this summer. The Summer I Turned Pretty was more one of the feminine books, whereas the other three where mysterious and emotional.

However, this book was somehow emotional, but on a lower level.

Belly (Isabel) spends every summer at a family friends summer house, with her mother, her mothers friend, Samantha, her brother - Steven, Conrad and Jeremiah (Samantha's two sons).  But every year she falls in love with Conrad again and again, with no luck. He doesn't see her like that, she's basically the little sister he never had. 

Isabel had never had a boyfriend, even though guys at her school were willing to date her, she never wanted to. Even after summer had finished, she was still hooked on Conrad.

But this summer, things changed.

Isabel grew up.

And at one fateful beach party she meets an old acquaintance and her love life blossoms as the summer fades.

This book is good for young readers who can relate to the character Isabel somehow. You won't forget the characters or the book. 

I fell in love with Jeremiah. He is so sweet and honestly, I think it should of been him at the end!

And if you read it, you'll understand what I mean....

The other three books where on WattPad, and if you so wish to read them, I'll link them here.

My Life with the Walter Boys

Loving the Bad Boy

That Song - Luke Hemmings FanFiction

So those are my highlights of this summer and I hope you ALL had a great one!

I love you all, 

Lauren x

INSTAGRAM: idkl0zza

TWITTER: @imlozza

Outfit Ideas for Autumn!

Hello!

On Friday, I bought a new cardigan for autumn and winter, to keep warm and I just thought I'd share a few outfits I'd wear it with!

This dress is a dark red paisley lace pattern, I purchased it in Matalan last winter, so I don't think it's sold anymore but I'm sure there are some similar! It has 3/4 length sleeves too, I put it with a pair of black opaque tights, heeled brogues from Graceland (I can't remember the website I bought them from, I've had them for years) and of course, the cardigan which I bought from H&M for £14.99.

This next outfit is just a casual one! A long sleeved white and navy-blue top from H&M, jeans from Matalan, they are from the children's/teens section because as I'm not very tall, it's hard to find jeans that fit, these cost £12. My shoes are dark green converse. The cardigan has pockets, which are big enough for your phone or whatever you need your pockets for!

My last outfit is this blue skirt, also from Matalan. The same top as the last outfit, ans the shoes from the first outfit! The skirt and top make a good outfit for summer, so being able to add a few items to make the outfit suitable for different times of year is very helpful!

I hope you enjoyed this quick post!

Lots of love,

Emma xxx

Summer Essentials!

Hello everyone!

Today I'm going to do a summer essentials blogpost, because I asked what blogposts people wanted to see and there were a lot of suggestions for summer makeup ans things like that, so I thought this would be a good post to do to fit that bill!

I love flower hairbands/crowns at the minute! They're so cute and look lovely and summery! I bought this daisy one while I was in Turkey, Kate also has one!

Makeup!

These are some lip products I love, bright colours look amazing in summer, I especially love it when you wear a very toned down makeup with a bright lip,I just think it looks amazing! 

Colours and products (from left to right) : 

~Revlon Color Stay Lacquer bam in 'Cocquette'

~Revlon Lip Butter in 'Wild Watermelon'

~Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in 'Nudist'

~Bourjois Colour Boost in 'Peach on the Beach'

~Revlon Lip Butter in 'Macaroon'

~Revlon Color Stay Matte Balm in 'unapologetic'

BB cream is excellent for summer, it provides a little bit of coverage and also a lot of them have SPF in them, so that's perfect for summer! BB creams do provide some coverage but for any places where more coverage is needed, concealer is your best friend! Of course, you want your makeup to stay on as long as possible, so primer is an essential.

Products (from left to right) :

~Maybelline Dream Pure BB cream 

~Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser (lightweight primer)

~Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin concealer 

Other good products:

~Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (I bet you predicted that!)

~Seventeen Stay Time Concealer

It's always nice to add a little warmth to your face, or contour (whichever floats your boat), so a bronzer is another essential! Mascara is an essential all year round really, isn't it? Waterproof mascara is a must for summer, you don't want any to run if you wear it in the pool!

Products (from left to right) :

~Physicians Formula Solar Powder Bronzer (with SPF20, how fancy!)

~Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Waterproof

Other good products:

~Bourjois Délice de Poudre (commonly known as 'chocolate bronzer'!)

~Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara waterproof (I think Maybelline is the best brand for mascaras, can you tell?!)

It's useful to have just one palette you can use for all sorts of different looks, that's why I find this W7 'In The Nude' palette so handy! The shadows are pigmented and blend really well to create amazing eyeshadow looks! Best of all it's £30 less than the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette and is a great dupe for it! They also do one that's just like the Naked 2 palette. You can find them in next or on amazon!

When you've been in the sun on holiday, the best thing to do at the end of the day, after a nice (well probably not the best) shower, is to apply aftersun. It moisturises, and this Calypso one (my personal favourite) has insect repellent in too, which is an added bonus! Dry shampoo is great for just freshening up your hair, and adding a bit of volume, I like the batiste ones because they have lots of scents to choose from!

Here comes the nail polish, yes, they're all Barry M. That would be because my nail polish collection (as large as it is) is primarily made up of Barry M, I think it may be a slight addiction. I love Barry M, they have such a huge range of different colours, they do Gel-like polishes, cool collections (like the aquarium collection which is a-maz-ing!), gorgeous glitters, mattes, textured, silk, you name it, they probably have it! They are all so affordable as well, £3-4 each, it's madness!

Shades (from left to right) :

~Mediterranean 

~Satsuma

~Greenberry

~Huckleburry

~Blueberry

~Prickly Pear

~Rose Hip

~Mermaid 

'Mediterranean'  looks gorgeous on your toenails, you'll thank me later. 

To make sure your nail polish stays on as long as possible you need basecoat and topcoat! You guessed they would be Barry M, didn't you?! The 3-in-1 basecoat, topcoat and nail hardener is a must have! For any of you wanting to experiment with different finishes, there's a matte topcoat too!

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading that blogpost, I enjoyed writing it!

I also hope that you're having an absolutely amazing summer, spending time with family, friends and just being happy and free!

Lots and lots of love,

Emma xxx

Where Have We Been?!

Hello everyone!

I know it has been a few weeks since I last posted a blogpost, and I'm very sorry!

On the 18th July, school finished for the 6 week summer holidays, and on the 19th one of my fellow guest bloggers, Kate (who is in fact one of my best friends in life off the internet!) and I set off to the airport to catch a flight to turkey, where we stayed for two and a half weeks, and had an amazing time!

This is only a short post, I just wanted to quickly explain the reason for our absence! Maybe, when Kate comes back from her next holiday to Spain and we've combined all of our many, many photos, Kate and I will do a joint blogpost about our holiday, please let us know if you'd like to see that!

For now, I'll leave you with a photo of one of many of the gorgeous Turkish sunsets we witnessed while we were away!

I hope you're all having a good summer so far,

Lots of love,

Emma xxx

Recent Purchases!

Hello again, 

Today I'm simply just going to share with you a few things I've bought recently!

Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint & Precision Shaping Pencil

You may have heard of this on YouTube channels such as Zoella and Velvetgh0st (that's how I heard about it!) and when they say it's amazing, believe them - it is! The pen end is really precise and the pencil end is good for just adding a bit of extra colour! Mine is in the shade 'Brownie Points' and I must say, extra brownie points go to Soap & Glory for this product and the shade name haha! It costs £10.

Soap & Glory Supercat eyeliner 

This liner is in felt tip form, making it easy for everyone to apply, even if you aren't the best at eyeliner. It costs £6, so it's very affordable!

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick

You may also have heared about this on YouTube channels such as Fleur De Force and Velvetgh0st, which is how I heard about it, and it looked absolutely gorgeous on them, so I decided to pick it up, and I do not regret it at all! It smells amazing, it is glossy and just beautiful! It costs £8, I really recommend it, I have it in the shade 'nudist'.

Revlon Matte and Lacquer Balms

The lacquer balm is in the shade 'Coquette', which is a beautiful bright pink, and the matte balm is in the shade 'unapologetic' which is an even brighter pink (You could say it's slightly coral). They are both very moisturising even the matte one, and they come in a large range of colours!

Barry M Matte Top Coat

This Barry M top coat is perfect if you want to experiment with the popular matte nail trend, you just paint your nails with whatever colour you want, apply this in place of your regular polish and there you go! Gorgeous matte nails! 

W7 In The Nude Palette 

This palette is an amazing dupe for the Naked 3 palette, with gorgeous pink-toned colours. The shadows are very pigmented and there's a mixture of matte and shimmer. It's very affordable, at only £7 it's a whole £30 less than one of the Urban Decay Naked palettes! There's also 'in the buff' which is a great dupe for the Naked 2 palette, again at the same price! You can buy them at next, if your next sells W7 makeup, or I think you can buy them on Amazon too!

I hope you've enjoyed this blogpost,

Let me know what you think of any of these products! 

Lots of love,

Emma xxx

Daisy Nails!

Last august, I did daisy nails, they went down very well and I was asked for a tutorial sort of thing, so here's how you do them, please excuse the very old photos haha!

What I used: 

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Treatment 

Ruby Hammer Recommends (for debenhams) white tip nail polish

A yellow Barry M limited edition nail paint, which has no name but you can use any colour you want for this bit!

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine nail paint in Greenberry 

A cuticle stick with a pointed end or a cocktail stick

1. Apply a base coat to your nails to prevent staining and to keep your nails healthy!

2. Dip the cuticle stick into some white polish and make five white dots of nail polish, in a circle , all of a similar size (don't worry if these don't look very neat at the moment!)

3. Wipe the nail polish off the cuticle stick or get another one, place it in the middle of one of the white dots and drag in towards the centre of the circle of white dots. Repeat this with all the dots so it looks like they join at the centre and you can do this a few times on different bits of your nail, I did it three times, you can do it more or less depending on the length of your nails.

4. Using your cuticle stick again, dip the pointed end into your yellow polish (or whatever colour you have decided to use) and put a dot in the centre of your flowers.

5. This is the step I found hardest to show you in a photograph, but take your other colour,mine is a green-blue, and make little swirls as stems and leaves of your flower. 

6. Let the design fully dry and apply a top coat to seal in your design and make it last longer!

Of course you don't have to use the same colours as I did, you could have a pink flower or a yellow flower it's totally up to you! You could also just do it on one nail as your accent nail, like the nails in my previous blogpost!

I was pretty amazed that I could still do the design after nearly a year haha;)

I really hope you enjoyed this little nail tutorial thing, as much as I did playing around with this cute design! 

Let me know what you think, are there any more nail designs you'd like me to try out?

Have fun trying this out on yourself and your friends!

Lots of love,

Emma xxx