Mickey Mouse Pumpkin Carving

Okay so this was last years pumpkin, but I get to cheat because I'm not going to have time to do one this year boo :(

I've always made the standard, childlike pumpkins similar to that of the artwork of a 5 year old but last year my house mate and I decided to try and attempt something that could potentially be quite impressive. 

We knew we wanted to do a Disney pumpkin (duh!) so we found this photo online and tried to draw it on to the pumpkin. Obviously we failed miserably and almost gave up completely before having the genius idea of printing out the image and using it as a template

Source

It took a couple of attempts to print it out the right size for our pumpkin. There's probably a more intelligent way to do it but it used trial and error!

We then cut out all the black parts of the image as this was what we wanted to be cut out of the pumpkin - don't worry too much about it being neat!

After it was cut out, we blu-taked the template to the pumpkin and drew around it and began hacking away.

I'm not going to lie, it took all day with everything from a hair pin to a pen and an earing to try and carve it (we were poor students ok!!!) but we were so proud of the end result. 

I had electric candles so we filled the pumpkin with them without any chance of it bursting into flames.

Looking forward to seeing all of your pumpkins tomorrow!!

Love Lauren xx

Autumn Tag!

This is a post I've been meaning to do for a while! Finally got round to it now I'm snug in a big jumper, in bed, with candles, waiting for a Chinese to come - perfect Autumn night if you ask me!

Thank you to the absolutely beautiful Amy and Jenny for tagging me in this one! You can read Amy's post here and Jenny's post here - check them out! 

The Autumn Tag

 1. Coffee - What's your favourite seasonal drink from Starbucks or any other coffee shop?

Okay well this is awkward... I don't drink hot drinks! I feel like I'm missing out on a whole world but there we go! For any other 'weirdos' that don't drink hot drinks, I saw a hilarious article on Cosmopolitan this week which just sums up everything - 24 struggles you'll only understand if you don't like tea!

 2. Accessories - What do you opt for, scarf, boots or gloves?

Scarf, boots, gloves, ear muffs, hats...everything and anything cute and most importantly cosy! I live in my Uggs on dry days but really need to get a pair of boots - I'm just so fussy with shoes! 

 3. Music - What's your favourite music to listen to during Autumn?

I playlist doesn't really change the whole year round but... autumn = Halloween and the second Halloween is over, it's technically Christmas in my eyes so the Christmas songs (and films) are coming out. I don't care how much everyone else around me protests!

4. Perfume - What's your favourite scent for this time of year?

My perfume doesn't really change in Autumn either! I always either go with something sweet or sexy. Anything Victoria's Secret, Calvin Klein Euphoria and Givenchy Very Irresistible are always winners!

5. Candles - What scents will you be burning this season?

I really want to get into burning some lovely Christmassy/Autumnal scents this year. I usually stick to something fresh and lit but this year is time for a change; particularly with our newly decorated cosy bedroom! I know everyone raves about Yankee Candles and I'll probably get a couple of small ones this season but right now I'm loving Busy Bee Candles. They're amazing, last for ages and are such a good price. They even smell lovely when they're not even burning. 

6. What do you love best about Autumn?

My favourite thing to do when the weather starts turning is bring my duvet into the lounge, get all cosy, relax and what films. It's definitely something I can't do when the weather is good because our flat is like a sauna! I also loveeeee my onsie - I literally live in it the second I get back from work! I love the cute winter clothes and wrapping up warm. The best holidays are in Autumn too; Halloween, Bonfire night and then the lead up to Christmas. So many exciting things going on!

7. Favourite make up look?

I wear a smokey eye all year round but I think in Autumn I can get away with it more! My make up needs to be as waterproof as possible because my eyes water like mad in the cold and streaks down my foundation like I've been crying is definitely not a good look! I really want to try some browns in my eye make up this season. I've always avoided it because I think you have to apply the colours in the right way when you have bright blue eyes - I always feel like I look like I'm on drugs when I've tried brown eye shadow before! This season I'll dedicate time some learning how to go a great Autumnal eye, and invest in some decent products to work with! Although it's not summer, I couldn't be without my contouring so that will be staying, I'll usually opt for more of a subtle glow on my foundation too. My skin will probably be dry, tired and craving the sun so I always try to brighten it up in the winter!

8. What are you looking forward to most in the Autumn? 

I think I probably answered most of this in question 6! I'm looking forward to cosy nights, wrapping up warm and getting excited in the lead up to Christmas! It's my favourite, and busiest time of year, and this year I have even more going on with leaving work! It'll be a good season! 

I'd love to nominate the beautiful:

Hannah - Suitcase and Sandals 

Jasmine - xprincessjas

Alice - Annie Writes Beauty

Sarah - SarahTrademark

Enjoy Ladies!!

Love Lauren xx

Iced Bakewell Traybake Recipe

I loveeeee bakewell tarts so when I came across this recipe I just had to give it a go ready for dessert at a family Sunday roast. 

It definitely didn't disappoint and if I can do it, anyone can!

Ingredients

1. 500g sweet shortcrust pastry (I used normal shortcrust and it was fine. Pre-made and rolled obviously!)
2. 6 tbsp strawberry jam
3. 200g butter, softened
4. 200g caster sugar
5. 4 medium eggs
6. 100g ground almonds
7. 100g self-raising flour
8. 1 tsp almond extract
9. 300g icing sugar
10. 20 glacé cherries
11. 
    

Method

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6 and grease your tin
2. 2. If you're not using pre rolled pastry, roll it out big enough to fit the base and sides of your tin
3. 3. Lay the pastry in the tin covering the base and sides. Cut off any excess around the edges
4. 4. Spread the jam over the pastry base
5. 5. Place the butter and caster sugar in a large bowl and beat until smooth and creamy
6. 6. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, adding 1 tbsp ground almonds after each addition
7. 7. Add the flour, remaining almonds and almond extract and stir well. Spoon the mixture over the jam, spreading to make an even layer
8. 8. Bake for 35-40 minutes until well risen, firm and golden
9. 9. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin
10. 10. In a small bowl, mix together the icing sugar and 3 tbsp water to make a fairly thick icing. When the tart is cold, spoon the icing on top, spreading evenly. Decorate with glacé cherries and leave to set
11. 11. Cut the tart into squares or rectangles to serve, eat and enjoy!

Love Lauren xx

My Big Thank You Giveaway!

I thought it was about time I hosted a giveaway to thank all you lovely, beautiful bloggers for the support you've given myself and my blog over the past three months! 

I've tried to put together all the products I love, so I can share them with you all too!

Prizes:

got2b POWDERful volumizing powder

Batiste dry shampoo in Tropical

Avon Stardust nail varnish in Teal Glitter

Avon Ultra lip bling in Cozy Mauve

Avon Supershock Gel eyeliner in Black (my holy grail!!!)

Black ballpoint pen

Weekly planner pad - page per week

Tc & Cs:

UK only

If a winner is chosen and hasn't qualified for the entries, another winner will be chosen

All products have been bought by myself

I'm hosting this giveaway as a thank you for the continued support of the blogging community so if you have no interest in following my blog other than for the giveaway, please leave entries for my true followers <3 Thank you! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love Lauren xx

Bedroom Inspiration

I'm currently in the process of moving into Luke's and we've decided to give the whole flat a bit of an overhaul. For the bedroom we're planning a black and grey theme so I wanted to put together a little post with all of our inspiration for the room. 

Let me know your thoughts and if you've seen any similar furniture anywhere!

 

Love Lauren xx

A Simple Victoria Sponge

It was Luke's birthday this week so I decide to go back to basics and make him a Victoria Sponge. This is literally the easiest, most fool-proof recipe ever - If I can do it then you can!

Ingredients

 For the main cake:

4 Eggs

Self Raising Flour 

Sugar

Butter/Margarine

For the middle:

Icing Sugar

Butter/Margarine

Jam (I used raspberry)

For the top:

Icing Sugar 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius 

Weigh the 4 eggs and note down their weight then crack them into the bowl

Weigh out the same weight of the eggs in flour, sugar and butter

Mix together in a large bowl, preferably with an electric mixer unless you're looking for a good arm workout

Grease and line a tin

Pour in the mixture and put in the oven

Bake until cooked through. Check the middle is cooked by putting a utensil into the middle and if no mixture comes out, it's done! Timing ranges depending on the size of the tin and the oven but I baked this for just over an hour

If the top starts to burn but it isn't cooked through, loosely put tin foil over the top

Leave to cool 

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When the cake is cooled and removed from the tin, cut it in two to put the filling in - this is the hardest part!

Mix up 4oz of icing sugar and 2oz of butter to create the butter cream. Add a splash of milk if you want a more runny consistency

Add the butter cream to one side of the sponge, and the jam to the other side

Put the two sides together and it's all done!

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For the top, sprinkle some icing sugar on the top

I cut out HAPPY BIRTHDAY letters on paper, sprinkled the icing sugar then removed the letters to leave a lovely message on the top!

A few tips: 

Obviously don't forget it's in the oven like I did... 

To keep the cake really moist, substitute 2oz of flour with ground almonds. With the cake being more moist, it'll last longer without drying out too!

Love Lauren xx