Birthday baking

Today is my boyfriend's birthday. Seeing as it's his 21st I had to think of something pretty spectacular and different to the chocolate cakes I have made before. I did a lot of research for inspiration on pinterest and amazingly I found the perfect cake but added my own twist.

Ingredients

8oz Margarine

8oz Caster Sugar

4 Eggs

8oz Self Raising Flour

4oz Cocoa Powder

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

100g Milk/Dark Chocolate Chunks

10oz Icing Sugar

4oz Butter

2oz Cocoa Butter

2tbsp Milk

100g Fudge Pieces

Smarties

Ferrero Rocher's 

Kit Kats

1. Mix the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
2. Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl, then add half of this egg mixture to the butter mix. Add the vanilla extract and half the flour and cocoa powder, combine really well.
3. Once the mixture is well mixed, add the remaining eggs, flour, cocoa powder and the chocolate chunks.
4. Place into two cake tins and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 180 Degrees.

For the icing:

1. Mix the butter until soft, add the cocoa powder and gradually all of the icing sugar, adding milk where necessary to get the right consistency.
2. Once the sponges have cooled, sandwich them together using the icing in the middle. Then ice the top of the cake and all down the sides.

And the decoration is the fun part, add as many sweets and chocolates as you desire!

F&F summer picks

The other week I nipped to the local Tesco store just to pick up the usual essentials, when I came across their clothing range. I mean I've seen their new eye catching F&F Clothing advert on the television but I've never really thought about clothes shopping at a supermarket. However, I am not one of those girls who only buy branded clothes and only shop at the high end fashion stores. If I like something then I buy it, simple. I don't care if it's from Primark or Topshop, Jack Wills or George at Asda. Don't get me wrong, I'm constantly reading fashion blogs, watching hauls or reading Vogue and Look so I do know what's in fashion and what people are wearing, I guess that does definitely influence my choices and the things I like. But there are so many different kinds of people, with such a range of fashions and trends that you can choose whichever style you want to go for and still be admired and looked upon as stylish.

So without rambling on any more, please see my two lovely purchases from F&F which I am absolutely in love with right now! And two cheeky selfies along with them, hey, why not?

White skater dress: £18

Parrot top: £8

Yay new blog!

So after lots of thinking, brainstorming and procrastinating I have finally managed to create my new blog, hurrah! After settling into my routine of university and part-time work I have decided I want to get back into blogging full time and stick to it. So this is my new start, with a new blog and a new name and I am so excited! As this is my first blog post I thought I'd give a short insight into the things I'll be talking about and what I'm interested in, my hobbies and what I get up to.

So who am I?

I'm a 20 year old student, studying to get a degree in Politics and Economics. But in my spare time I am a wannabe celebrity chef which I think is a result of my obsession with Nigella and continuously watching The Good Food Channel from the age of about 11... (exciting childhood I know)

Useless facts:

• I love coffee
• I love cats but I'm not allowed one until I leave home
• I believe I was born in the wrong era, I'm all about the 1920's
• I don't suit red lipstick
• And I love Leonardo Dicaprio...

What stuff will I blog about?

Well I didn't want my blog to be about anything specific as there's lots I want to share and talk about! I'm a dab hand in the kitchen and I love baking so I will definitely upload lots of lovely yummy recipes for my readers to take a look at.

As a typical girl I love my clothes and my makeup, so I hope to do lots of hauls and reviews. I'm not one to spend a lot of money on makeup either, so I'll share tips on the best deals on all my makeup and purchases.

Where else can I see what you're up to? 

Why thanks for asking. You can find me on...

Twitter: charlottejpblog

Instagram: charlottejanepowell