My first cupcakes!

I have had a weakness for American-style cupcakes ever since a bakery specialising in them opened in my city. I had never dreamed it would be possible - let alone easy - to recreate the same thing at home, until I was recently given The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook as a gift.

Oh, it is wondrous! The sponge itself can be ready to cook in about fifteen minutes, and once cooled, the frosting is easy to spread on and utterly delicious. The recipes I have tried so far (three, and another later on today) are straightforward and produce perfect quantities - meaning heaps of frosting, just like the real thing.

These ones were my first attempt - the strawberry cheesecake cupcakes. There is chopped strawberry in the bottom, cream cheese frosting on top, and a sprinkling of biscuit crumbs to represent the biscuit base of a cheesecake.

If you enjoy baking or simply have a sweet tooth, this book is a necessity.

Charlotte

Ready to pour on the cake mixture...

... spreading on the frosting...

... and eating the rest!

My favourite LBD

As Charlotte previously posted, black is back and one of the biggest trends for A/W ’11. I decided to go with this trend a little early, yes we are still ‘technically’ in summer but it doesn't feel like it and the winter collections are drawing me in already.

I decided to go with my favourite LBD to kick off this trend. It’s the perfect little black dress, it can be worn casually on its own or paired with a smart jacket – either way its great for a lazy day or a night on the town. I think it’s the flowing, tunic-ey shape which makes it so versatile and as black is always in fashion it really is one of those classic pieces that will last forever.  

Jade

LBD: Topshop, Patterned tights: Next, Shoes: H & M

Lemon meringue cake

I have never attempted a lemon meringue pie, but when I saw Nigella Lawson's version - a lemon meringue cake, towering high with layer upon layer of sunshine-coloured goodness - I just had to give in.

I find Nigella's recipes can often take a little time and patience, but they are usually worth the effort - and this was certainly one of those occasions. First the cake mixture is made and poured into two tins; then the meringue mixture is formed and piled on top. After baking, one cake is turned upside down (but do so with both, just to check your sponge is fully cooked... one of mine wasn't!) and the two are sandwiched together with cream and lemon curd.

Mmmm.

Although it looks fairly small before baking, the sheer height of the cake makes it large enough to serve what the recipe (from the book 'Feast') claimed it would: eight portions. But whether that will be enough to satisfy hungry guests is another question...

Charlotte

The sponge cake ingredients

Piling the meringue mix onto the sponge cake mix

The baked meringue cakes, ready to be sandwiched!

Something funky, something fresh... something Fulton

Seeing the above lip-print trousers pop up in this month's ASOS magazine reminded me of the feature I have been planning to write on Holly Fulton ever since I caught sight of this collection.

Holly cites her creative inspiration as 'art deco', 'Bauhaus styles' and 'cubist fashion'... which is not difficult to notice in these pieces. It's pop art meets constructivism - intricate, almost architectural detail, yet bold and starkly outlined. Most of all, it is refreshingly unlike any collection I have seen before, let alone this season. Just feast your eyes on that blue dress (below)!

Images and quotes courtesy of www.hollyfulton.com

With the look being so daringly different, it's tricky trying to find something which recreates it on the high street. ASOS and Matches have a few of Fulton's last season pieces left in their sales, but otherwise the closest I've found is Motel's collection at Topshop, or, if you have the cash, Markus Lupfer's lips pieces (also available at ASOS) are to die for.

In the mean time, this cute and timeless Illustrated People sweat at Topshop will suffice nicely.

Topshop, £35

Let me know your thoughts!

Charlotte

Brownie War!

Whatever the occasion, whenever I decide to bake my first thought is always brownies - they are my go to dessert. After simple fairy cakes they were one of my first bakes as a child, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I have experimented with the recipe and techniques for a long time and my last few batches have definitely been my favourite.

My secret ingredient is instead of using simple bought chocolate chips, is to chop up, into quite large chunks, the leftover dark chocolate and a bar of white chocolate, and add these to the mix at the end. The brownies come out with the yummiest melted (HUGE) chocolate 

chunks inside, creating a scrumptious, indulgent, chocolaty treat for everyone to enjoy.

Kisses,

Jade

Chocolate Chunks

My Trip to California (Cliffs Holiday Resort, Norfolk, England)

One day soon I am going to give in to my ever-growing wanderlust, and disappear to exotic places all over the world. However for now I am happy just travelling around England when I can, seeing places I’ve never been before with my family and friends. 


This weekend I went to Norfolk for a caravanning holiday. I’ve never been to the county Norfolk or stayed in a caravan before so I was very excited. It didn’t disappoint. The beaches and surrounding countryside was beautiful, and the busy sea-side town of Great Yarmouth was filled with loads of strange little shops. My favourite was called ‘The Chinese Shop’. I bought a lovely wall hanging and the most beautiful hand-made jewellery box. Overall I had a wonderful time, spending evenings watching the on-site entertainment, and playing cards in our cosy caravan, and spending the days exploring the beaches and towns. 

Kisses,

Jade

My Beautiful Chinese Jewellery Box

Simple Beachwear - Dress: H & M, Belt: Dorothy Perkins, Bag: Accessorize

Yummy Ice-creams from Great Yarmouth

My Chinese Wall Hanging

Banana Cheesecake

Before this one, I had never attempted a cheesecake, but with a huge barbecue coming up it seemed like the perfect 'please everyone' dessert. (Alongside lemon meringue cake... pictures coming soon!)

To make it, I used the recipe for 'Big Baked Cheesecake' from Sam Stern's 'Student Cookbook', but I avoided the lemon rind and folded in a few overripe bananas instead. I also made double quantities, expecting to produce enough cheesecake for twelve people. But as you can see, it provided more than a little over that... possibly enough for twenty! I ended up having to send my brother away with the giant one to share with his housemates!

The recipe was dead simple and overall I was pretty impressed; only next time, I would use a firmer biscuit such as a ginger nut, as the base was a bit too soft and crumbly for my liking.

(Although banana and ginger... perhaps not).

Charlotte

Pressing the biscuit base into the tins...

... and whisking the cream cheese mixture.