Fashion- Pink dress three ways

I was in Manchester recently with my sister shopping. This pink dress caught my eye when we were in Selfridges and I knew I had to have it! The colour brought a smile to my face and I knew it would be a perfect summer dress. I've styled the dress three ways; Classic, Casual and Carrie (Bradshaw). The first outfit is the classic look which I thought would be perfect for summer weddings. Hope you enjoy.

Dress - Cos
Shoes - Jimmy Choo
Bag - Alexander McQueen Petal Mantaray/ De Manta
Bracelet - Thomas Sabo

Fashion - Pink dress Casual look

This is my casual look, think festival or holiday outfit. I picked these sandals up at Zara recently, I know they will be another summer staple. The bag is vintage, which I was given as a gift for my birthday many years ago. I totally love the old school Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck characters covering the bag. The rings are balenciaga-esque which I'm also wearing a lot at the moment.

Dress - Cos
Bag - Vintage
Sandals - Zara
Belt - Zara
Jacket - Next old similar here and here
Rings - Asos  similar here and here
Necklace - Dorothy Perkins

Fashion - Stripes

Now that the weather is starting to warm up a little I'm beginning to feel a little more summery. I know this I will be wearing this stripy top form Zara a lot over the coming months. Its a classic style and with these white wedges brightens up a pair of jeans.  

Top - Zara 
Jeans - MiH Jeans
Shoes - Zara 
Sequin Bag - Zara (old)
Belt - Mango

Life - Happy 60th Dad

It was my Dads 60th birthday recently, Happy Birthday Dad! We went away for a lovely weekend at Centre Parcs, did lots of activities together as a family and relaxed in the spa. On the Saturday night my mum, sisters and I had a party tea for my dad and I baked him the cake above. I wanted the cake to be really special and I have been waiting to try a hidden design cake even since they made them on The Great British Bake Off.

Well after several hours of hard work the cake was made (it certainly wasn't easy). I was a little nervous when the cake was cut to see if had worked and luckily it had and everyone had a perfect W (my dads initial) in their slice of cake.

Below are the recipes I used, one chocolate (from Barefoot Contessa) and one vanilla cake recipe (from Glorious Treats). To create the middle layer of the cake I got some inspiration from Once upon a pedestal. I carved lots of W's from the vanilla cake and arranged them in a circle in the pan before covering them with the chocolate cake batter and baking again.

Vanilla Cake - Taken from Glorious Treats 

Preheat oven to 350 *F
Dry  2 2/4 cups Plain Flour
        2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
        1 teaspoon Baking Soda
        1 teaspoon Salt                                       
Sift the dry ingredients, mix together and set aside.

Wet  1 cup Vegetable Oil
        1 cup Buttermilk                                   
Mix the oil and buttermilk together and set aside

- In a bowl or electric mixer beat 4 eggs until light and add 1 1/2 cups of sugar slowly to the eggs, along with 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract, beating all the time.
- Reduce the speed and add half of the dry flour mix. When combined add half of the wet mix, then the rest of the flour and the rest of the milk.
- The batter will make an 8" or 9" cake. Bake for about 45mins or until a cocktail stick comes cleanly out of the centre of the cake.
- This recipe can also be halved and used for cupcakes. It will yield 15-16 cupcakes. Bake these for 12-14mins.

Beatty's Chocolate Cake - Ina Garten The Barefoot Contessa

Preheat oven to 350 *F                                            
(I made 1.5x the mix for the cake above)

Dry   1 3/4 cups Plain Flour
         2 cups Sugar
         3/4 cups Cocoa Powder
         1 teaspoon Baking Powder
         2 teaspoons Baking Soda
         1 teaspoon Salt                        
Sift the dry ingredients, mix together in bowl or electric mixer.

Wet   1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
         1 cup Buttermilk                          
         2 exta large eggs
         1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Combine the wet ingredients together and set aside
         
         1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee

- Butter two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper. 

- With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. 

- With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. 

- Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. 

- Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting

6 ounces good semisweet chocolate 

1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups sifted icing sugar
1 tablespoon instant coffee powder

- Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. 

- Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes. 

- Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. 

- Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don't whip! Spread immediately on the cooled cake. 

These are my go to recipes that I use almost every time I'm baking cakes or cupcakes. Both recipes are excellent and make delicious cakes every time. I hope you enjoy!