Chocolatey Chocolate Cake

I always think you can't go wrong with a chocolate cake - be you baker or eater. This one I made in honour of my wonderful friend Rhian's 20th birthday. 

The recipe was one for 'Family Chocolate Cake' from Hamlyn's '200 Cake and Bakes' by Sara Lewis. What I love about the book range is that the recipes are super-easy, require few ingredients, and usually extremely successful - so this time I must have done something wrong, as the cake turned out miserably flat! Highly edible, yes, but probably more frosting than cake. Which I guess, if we're being positive, isn't a bad thing in my books!

To decorate, I sprinkled on some chocolate-coated cereal balls from a Muller Corner yoghurt that I had used to make a banana smoothie. Waste not, want not!

Charlotte

Making the frosting

Wedding Cupcakes

Hello! So I thought it was about time I started posting again and to inspire me I decided to create a new layout for fashionwaffle. Don't you find that creating some new and exciting is a great way to motivate yourself? I have since sorted out the folders on my laptop, and discovered many photographs and creations that I had forgotten to post. I have also since sorted out my bedroom, re-organising and thinking of new ways to re-design. I am practically on an ‘updating my life’ spree – the blog, the bedroom; I’ve also joined the gym. Next is my hair – that post will follow shortly!

However time to stop the rambling, this post is meant to be about the cupcakes my friend Rachel and I made for my step-sisters wedding this summer. The wedding had a fuchsia and white colour scheme so we created the cupcake decorations using white, fuchsia and light pink royal icing. We created several designs, hoping the variety of designs and colour would help the cupcakes to stand out. We also wrapped the cases in lace, to provide a sophisticated finish. We are really proud of our creation, and the bride, groom and guests seemed to like them too!

Jade

The cakes before they were decorated.

Us finished, at one am that morning!

The LBB - Little Black Blazer

Blazer & sunglasses, H&M; bag, New Look; necklace, Topshop; dress & shoes, ASOS.

It was a couple of weeks ago that I realised I needed something a little more on-trend than a plain cotton cardigan to wear with my summer dresses. It dawned on me that my wardrobe was missing what has become a style staple - the little black blazer.

I managed to find this one for the bargain price of just £14.99 at H&M. It's super-flattering, great to take from day to night, and, when worn with my huge sunglasses, makes me feel very 'Whitney Port on a stroll in LA'. 

This is me at the Chilli Fiesta in West Dean Gardens, West Sussex, last weekend. It's one of my favourite events of the year, with hundreds of stalls offering tastings and selling local foods both savoury and sweet, plus demonstrations, live music and more. Food, shopping and sunshine - what more could you want from a day out?

Charlotte

Chocolate Chunk Shortbread

Shortbread: few biscuits can beat it. To me it has a very specific texture - crumbly, yet melt-in-the-mouth - so I am always a little apprehensive to bake it. But I have to say, the recipe for this was certainly the easiest I've followed (it was taken from Hamlyn's '200 Cakes and Bakes' by Sara Lewis), and produced a pretty yummy batch with a nice texture.

I was also concerned as I hadn't a square brownie tray to hand and had to use a larger one than described, but the richness of the shortbread made up for the smaller, thinner slices.

Stick it in a cute lunchbox and share it with your friends!

Charlotte

Slipping into A/W'12

Ok, so maybe it's a little early to be planning my A/W wardrobe... or is it? I'm pretty sure these are going to fly off the shelves if I don't get them soon!

Anyways, I just had to share these River Island slippers with you. Some of the most beautiful shoes I have seen in a long time, and not too pricey either! I love the velvet style in red or navy at £45, but, being practical, I should probably go for the slightly cheaper black ones at £28. They're sure to go with everything.

It's a surefire sign that slippers, my favourite shoe of last winter, are making a comeback, as are those delicious Alexander McQueen-style studs.

Want want want!

Charlotte

All is quiet on the baking front...

... but here are some cookies.

I know lately things have been a little quiet on the blog. Last week I was back at my university house living alone for a while, and with no-one to bake for (and me being on a health-kick) I really had no reason to bake. Crazy, I know.

But here I present to you some of my best-ever cookies, a recipe taken from the original Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook. I made these a few months ago for all my friends at uni, and they went down a storm. They are especially delicious when made with an assortment of chocolate morsels you have lying around - I think I threw in chocolate buttons, chocolate chips AND chocolate chunks. Makes for a much more satisfying and surprising batch.

On a side note, Jade and I are planning a blog overhaul very soon - watch this space!

Charlotte

Skater Skirts Forever

For the last few summers, I have found myself falling in love with skater skirts. So flattering worn high on the waist, and so easy to take from day to night! Tuck in a baggy cropped top when the heat is too much - then, for dinner or the bar, a glitzy Peter Pan-collared blouse, as I've done above. The top I found in H&M last winter, but the skirt I just picked up a few weeks ago in Forever 21. I can't wait to wear them together on a night out!

I also picked up the foil-effect pleated skirt below - oh yes, I had fun in Forever 21. I've included my other favourites from the high street's current selection.

How will you wear yours?

Charlotte

£12.75, Forever 21

£18, River Island

Now £20, Topshop

£38, TFNC @ ASOS