Cute, fun and easy cupcakes for Halloween!

Hey friends!!!

I'm so excited, Halloween is two days away and I've got the perfect treats for you to whip up! In this post I'm going to share with you a super easy recipe that is super easy to make; light and fluffy vanilla cupcakes topped with mouth watering butter cream along with some not so spooky decorations!! With the help of my little sister, I bring you the best cupcakes I think I've ever made!! 

To make 24 cupcakes you will need:

250g of unsalted butter 

250g of caster sugar 

250g of all purpose flour

3 teaspoons of baking powder (however I used baking powder and they were still great) 

4 eggs

Vanilla essence

You could also add black food colouring to make your cupcakes extra spooky!! 

For decorations you will need:

Butter Cream Icing! You can make your own like the amazing baker inside you, or you can be lazy like me and  buy some! I bought mine from Aldi, but wish I made my own because I make some darn good butter cream icing!

Sprinkles are also an essential! 

Your favourite milk chocolate!

And last but not least, Oreos!! 

If you have any dietary requirements, are a vegan, or would prefer a healthier option, you can always swap out certain ingredients for  an alternative of your choice, they should still taste great!

Step one: Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. 

Step two: Pour all your ingredients into a bowl and mix using an electric whisk into all the ingredients are fully combined! It's that easy! I suggest sifting your flour, to make sure your cupcakes are super light and fluffy!

Step three: Pour your cupcake batter into your cupcake cases, I used an ice-cream scoop to do this, to ensure they were all the same size. If you're cool like me, you can buy yourself some Halloweenesque cases, mine were orange, black, purple and green!

Step four: Bake for twenty minutes until golden brown, then voila! Or should I say, mwuahahaha?

While your cupcakes are baking in the oven, melt something chocolate your preferred way, over a boiling pan of water, in the microwave, whatever you find easier! (I prefer the pan method, I find it very satisfying to mix around the chocolate while it melts). Then on a sheet of baking paper, you can create a whole array of of haunting shapes with your chocolate! Gravestones, ghosts, spider webs, anything your heart desires! Leave some chocolate left over though, you'll need that for later!

 When your cupcakes have cooled down, you can ice your cupcakes and start decorating!

To make the cupcake above is super easy, all you have to do is twist two Oreos in half and create two small holes to create some big cute eyes! I was going to make it into a cute owl but I like this better, it looks like a small child scared out of its wits!!

With your left over Oreo halves, smash them up in a plastic bag until they're in small crumbs, then mix them up with your melted chocolate to make dirt. Once your chocolate is cooled, you can push your gravestone into the icing. Creepy right?

That's all there is to it! I hope you enjoyed and try out this recipe for yourself!

How are you spending Halloween?

Much love,

Two Favourite's Tuesday #4

Hello all! I'm in a right chipper mood on this chilly October day! That reminds me! I lit a candle a couple of hours ago but haven't checked on it, there's a small chance my room is on fire... I should probably sort that out. But before I do, welcome to Two Favourite's Tuesday number four!!! I'm very excited about this one because last Thursday I saw my favourite band that I talk about too much on this blog; it was bloody spectacular! So read on if you want to hear about that and my over fave this past week!

On Thursday the 23rd of October, my boyfriend and I travelled down to The Rainbow in Birmingham to see Cattle & Cane. I've talked and raved about this band so many times on here and on twitter, so I was so excited to finally see them live; it was so so beautiful! For those of you who have never heard of them, Cattle & Cane area folk/acoustic band who live in Teeside, made up of four siblings (out of nine siblings all together together!) and their friend who plays on the drums. After the show, which was absolutely amazing by the way and I sung along to almost every song (and almost cried at We Were Children and Dancing), we went to the merch stand and I the album along with  the gorgeous mug you can see above! The design is part of the album art by Matthew Hamill (another one of the Hamill siblings, jeez they're talented!). Isn't it beautiful!! I also got to chat to the band themselves while having my album signed and they're such nice and humble people. Ah I do love them. I'm no music guru myself, but I can say that they're the best and your your argument is invalid. I definitely recommend you check out their album "Home", you can buy it here.

My second love this week has been the leaves finally changing!! Now, wherever I look I see yellow and orange, and it's absolutely stunning. Autumn has finally settled, you can tell because I'm  finally wearing my scarves and my big coat. My favourite thing is driving down a road with orange trees down either side, I don't know why but it just makes me so so happy. I freaking love Autumn. Love love love.

What are you loving at the moment?

Much love,

Liebster Award

Hey guys, hope you're all doing okay! I'm in a jolly good mood this evening as I write this, so  decided it would be the perfect time to answer the following questions as part of my nomination for the Leibster Award. I've been nominated by two lovely people; Georgie from Pixels & Pine and Sara from About The Little Things. 

Here are the rules that I have been given:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you

2. Answer the 10 questions set by the nominator

3. Create 10 new questions for 10 bloggers you nominate

4. Comment on your nominees blog with a link to your blog to let them know they've been nominated

Because I was nominated twice, I decided to answer both sets of questions, so here they are!

1. What made you start blogging?

I've always had a love for writing, but never a reason too! After reading a few blogs and being introduced to such a great platform and community, I learnt that blogging 
opens up a whole world of creative space for people like me . 

2. Do you sleep on your front, back or side?

All three!!

3. Name three things you couldn't live without

My family and friends (that counts as one, duh)

Music

Food and water silly!

4. What is your favourite place in the world?

I adore where my grandparents live in Poland!

5. What's your favourite TV series?

The Office (US)!!

6. What would you change in your life right now if you could

I would change that my Dad has to work so much, it sucks and I wish he could be home more :(

7. Windows or Mac?

I'm not sure, I use Windows but I think I'd prefer Mac.

8. If you could go back in time, what time period would you go?

The swinging sixties! (I'm thinking along the line of Hairspray, that looked like a lot of fun.) Or to a period where there were no phones and I could live on a farm, read books, help harvest potatoes, pick apples, look after horses in the stables etc. Basically I would love to have live like Anne from Anne of Green Gables.

9. Most inspirational person to you?

Apart from my dad, I'd say my neighbour's daughter's boyfriend. He started out selling and designing gym clothes with his friend in the backroom of their houses, and since then they've grew their own company which as become one of the UK's largest fitness wear brands, Gymshark. He has managed to accomplish so many things at such a young age of 23, and I aspire to work my ass off to be able to do some of the things he can now do. 

10. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Fajitas!!

---

1. Die Standing or live kneeling?

Live Kneeling.

2. You in 3 words

Always wanting food

3. Favourite clothing brand?

I loveeeee Urban Outfitters clothing

4. How many secrets do you have?

Between you and me, this blog is a bit of a secret, only 3 of my friends know about it!! (shh)

5. Underlining or using text markers?

Are text markers high lighter, because high lighters are my fave

6. Your biggest fear?

Death.

7. Grumpy in the morning?

Yes very, I wish I was one of those people who gets up early everyday outwith ever thinking twice and is always wide awake

8. Did you ever want to give up blogging & if yes, why?

I've only been blogging for 2 months, so not yet, but I hope that I don't

9. Favourite song?

I'll pick three to make it easier for myself

1.  At the moment I'm loving Perfect by One Direction.

2. Cattle & Cane - Dancing

3. Des'ree - Kissing you

10. Which bloggers inspire you? 

I am inspired by so many different bloggers every day that I can't just name a few!!

So those were my answers!

Now I nominate:

Courtney from Courtney's Little Things

Kat from Chapters Of Kat

Emma from Unf4bul0us

Robyn from Hey There Robyn

Stephanie from SR Photography

Charlene from Tartan Mouth

Jasmine from Blogsallbeautyy

Grace from Grace Blogs Life

Katie from Life Of A Daydreamer

and Giuliette from Giuliette Blog

My questions for you are:

1. Who do you think kids these day should admire to be like?

2. What's your favourite rainy day song?

3. Tea or Coffee?

4. What was/is your favourite subject at school and why?

5.  Who's a blogger that deserves more followers and readers?

6. What were your favourite meal as a child?

7. What is the worst film you've ever seen?

8. Starbucks or Costa?

9. Where's the best place you've ever visited?

10. Do you have your own personal mug? What does it look like?

Have a brilliant Saturday everyone!! (or whatever day of the week you're reading this on, have a good one c; )

Much love,

Early Morning Rambles

On the 19th of October 2014, a special someone asked me to be their girlfriend while hugging me tightly in a cold, leaf covered park. A year later, and we're celebrating the great year we've spent together! Joshua is that special someone in my life, the one who pushes all my buttons, the one who annoys the crap out of, and the one who makes me want to rip my hair out. But overall he's also the one who has a heart of gold, always puts others before himself, and the one that still loves me when I'm at my worse (especially when I have no makeup on!!). I'm so happy to have found someone to call my own, knowing that we share the same dreams and want the same things. He's my partner in crime, and my best friend in the whole world. Who knows what's to happen in the upcoming years, I mean, the future is scary! I just hope that I go through it with his hand in mine.

 Today I'm taking him to see Cattle & Cane, and I'm so excited because I've never been to a small gig before, only to massive venues to see the likes of Take That, One Direction, and 5SOS. He doesn't know who we're seeing yet (not that I know of)so I hope he has fun otherwise I'll have a sob in the corner for being a crap girlfriend, or just make him dance with me anyways because he hates dancing an I'm cruel like that.

 On another note, I hope you're having a great week thus far! Halloweens not too far away now, and after Halloween is Bonfire Night, then after that is the run up to Christmas!(I'm not going to lie, I've already been blasting out Christmas music while I get ready). There are so great things to look forward to this time of year! I'm feeling all the holiday spirits! I'm especially excited for this weekend, as I'm going to a Halloween party!! (Get me be sociable!!) I'm not that great at coming up with cool and original costume ideas like some, so I'm thinking of going basic, like a deer or something, because deer are beautiful, innocent creatures. (Is that cheating, going for the easy option?)

 Are you dressing up for Halloween this year? If so, as what?

Much love,

P.S: I LOVE YOU JOSHY, THANK YOU FOR MY BEAUTIFUL RING AND FLOWERS

This is why I'm not a fashion blogger

Just look at me, look how hopeless I am. I feel sorry for myself now, for thinking that these jeans with those shoes look okay. I'm actually a laughing stock, and I don't care because looking at myself now I want to burst into laughter myself! Ahhh, how I'm glad I'm a lifestyle blogger, I don't think I was ever meant to go down the line of fashion that's for sure! For all I know, I could look fabulous, but in my eyes it's plain to see that I'm a little old mess who should stay in my bedroom in the comfort of my baggy Primark pyjama bottoms and dirty over sized shirts. But I tell you one thing that this has taught me, it's taught me that I'm doing the best thing that's right for me, and that I'm not trying to be something I'm not. Yes I may have tried to take a photo so I could do a cute little fashion post, but it just turns out I'm not cut out for that. My niche is lifestyle, and I cant try and force myself to be someone I'm not. If you're a blogger whose thinking of venturing out into a different niche, like fashion, lifestyle, beauty etc. I'd say go for it! But don't do something that isn't about who you are or what you enjoy. I love the beauty of makeup and how I can transform my face in different ways, but I could never be a beauty blogger because it's not something I'm absolutely passionate about. I'm following the path that leads to my happiness and so should you! I don't even know where I'm going with this anymore and I've rambled enough. Just be yourself I guess is what I'm trying to say. Any whom, I'll post the other two pictures for you to see, I mean they're not terrible, but fashion blogging is not for me (:

Thanks to my friend Sophie for taking the photos though, your photo skills are fabulous, where as I am not. You can follow Soph on Instagram here.

What's your blogging niche and why did you choose it?

Much love,

My Memories Of Halloween

I've been thinking recently, about how much I loved Halloween as a kid. Carving pumpkins, spending the day getting exited, getting mum to paint my face, getting sick after eating sweets, you know, the usual things. It makes me sad that I will never be as excited as I was then. Don't get me wrong, I still love Halloween! But it's just not the same is it? I can't do the things I once did as a child, like eat tonnes of sweets without caring about the calories and sugar intake! I can't go knocking around the street exclaiming "TRICK OR TREAT!", instead I need to supervise my little sister, remind her to say thank you, and kindly decline any sweets offered my way (because its the polite thing to do and the kids will cherish them more than me... right?). Because of this, I've decided to take a trip down memory lane, and share some of stories of Halloween.

Let's start on my most sad Halloween shall we? I was about 6 or 7, and very very excited for Halloween. I decided I was going to be a witch, as per usual, and was counting down the hours till we'd venture out into the streets and collect our sweets! (Haribo packets for the win am I right?) Anyways, I was patiently sitting in the lounge when suddenly my ears started ringing and I had terrible pain in both my ears and my head. Even though it hurt a lot, I was adamant to still go trick or treating, bc sweets. Despite my determination to fight the pain, dear old mum decided for my own good that I "shouldn't go out this Halloween and stay inside". I tell you right now, my heart shattered. I obliged, and sat at my front window, peering over my sofa, as I saw all my friends from school wander the streets in their cool costumes, laughing and having fun, while I was in pain and was forced to give away all the sweets to the dressed up children. Not fair.

Skip ahead a few years of being witches and maybe the odd vampire later, and I we come to these horrific tale. My friends and I were trick or treating in the pouring rain dressed up in netted neon skirts, vests, massive rain coats, some funky leg warmers, and very dramatic makeup smearing our faces. However, it wasn't the fact that it was raining that made us so upset, or that every house that we went to asked us who we were supposed to be either! (I mean come on, we were  obviously emo fairies) It was more of the fact that we decided to walk down a dark alley with a torches like the rebels we were, until A STUPID IDIOT SCREAMED AND JUMPED OUT AT US WITH HIS STUPID BARKING DOG AND HIS STUPID FREAKY MASK AND SCARE THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF US! It was so not okay, and it makes me angry every time.

So while we're at it, I might as well tell you about last Halloween! I went to my first ever Halloween party ever last year (HOORAH!), but I kind of didn't know what to wear so went with the easy option of being Wednesday Adams. I wore a top with a peter pan collar underneath, a black dress with teeny flowers, and had my hair in two plaits just like she does, so I thought I really looked the part! Until I got there and realized that 90% of the people there had never watched it so I was left looking like a fool (uncultured swines). So I went back home to switch my makeup up a bit, to up looking like a dead maid or whatever. Spooky. Also, I forgot to mention that I went to this party with my family, and I was put in charge of the children. So while my parents where having fun dancing and getting intoxicated, I was organinsing games of hide and seek, as well as wrapping kids in toilet roll to become mummies. I did get a tenner out of it though, so I guess it was worth it. I guess.

What's one of your favourite memories of Halloween?

Much love,

Autumn strolls.

On Sunday, the family and I took a trip down to our local garden center to browse around the candles, the fish, and the Christmas decorations. I don't even care that it's October, Christmas decorations will always warm my heart and excite me! I have no shame in saying that we picked up a few bits and pieces along the way, there was no helping ourselves. Anyways, after deciding that we had to leave before we bought the whole store (as tempting as it sounds), we decided to stroll the grounds outside the center so I could take pretty autumnal pictures and feel the crisp October air against our skins. It was so nice and relaxing, it really feels like autumn is finally upon us and it's great.

Are you as excited for Christmas as I am, or are you keeping it in?

Much love,

Two Favourites Tuesday #3

Guess who's back with their two favorites on a Tuesday? Only me of course!! This past week I've been really in love with a lot of things and it wasn't hard to pick two favourites at all, in fact, it was a piece of cake!

I've been a little ickle bit obsessed with a certain game called Animal Crossing (wild world that is, not new leaf, I'm old school). A bit obsessed to the point where me and my friend Sophie will go to each others houses to visit our towns; to help weed, exchange furniture, and even play hide and seek. I'm serious. If you didn't know, Animal Crossing is a game usually played on the Nintendo ds/dsi/3ds etc. of which you live in your own town full of little animal critters who live in their own cute little houses. There isn't really an "aim" to this game. You can go fishing, catch bugs, dig up fossils, grow your own garden, decorate and upgrade your house (with the hassle of mortgages) and so much more! I used to play it so often when I was younger, on both my DS and my Wii, and recently discovered it in my sisters room. Lets just say, I'm in love again, and I have no shame. None. Zero.

Secondly, a favourite of mine for the past 7 days has been wearing little to no makeup. My face had been feeling really dry and icky recently, and I didn't particularly think that shoving a tonne of makeup on my skin would make matters any better. So I slathered myself in moisturiser, brushed through my eyebrows, and dared to go bare. At first I felt a bit cautious, walking up and down the school corridors feeling like I might scare someone to death, but then it started to feel really good! I had an extra twenty minutes in the morning to do whatever I would like, and no one was judgmental at all! (at least not to my face). I've started wearing makeup again now, but not as much, just a little mascara and concealer, to help me through the day. Saying that I'll probably end up with a full face of makeup tomorrow. Nah.

What have you been loving this past week?

Much love,

What's in my basket? H&M home.

(sorry for the crappy photo that doesn't relate to this post at all, I'm just not a fan of stock photos and this dreary lighting is too bad for photos! Forgive me??)

Morning/ afternoon, evening everyone! Right now while I'm writing this it's 10 pm on a Saturday night and I'm tucked up in bed with my laptop lying on top of me, and I feel like doing a bit of online shopping. So I thought, why not you tag a long, see what I put "straight in my bahsket", as well as sulk about all the amazing things that I can't afford with me! So be prepared to click to and from a lot of links!!

H&M Home

Ahhhh, H&M home. What a beautiful place. I often skip looking through their clothing ,because I struggle to find things I like on their website, so I jump straight to home ware. They sell almost everything you could ask for, at good reasonable prices, and scrolling through their bedding and tealight holders is my happy place.
Basket total : 9
Total cost: £131.91

What's in my basket?

This two pack of tea light holders.
This old metal basket, I need a place I can just chuck all my dirty clothes so I don't just end up leaving them on the floor somewhere.
This duvet, how cute!!
This glass vase, I think it's so adorable!
This door hook, so I have a better place to hand my onsies and dressing gown.
This moss-knit blanket. It looks so freaking cozy and cute, eek!!
This cushion, make a little magic.
This cake stand. However, I don't want it for the purpose of displaying cakes, I think it would look great with my favorite bath bombs piled on top ready for me to use.
These paper bags for sweets. I don't know how these got into my bag tbh, I think they were just too cute not to be included!

That's everything!! However I did see multiple marble trays and chopping boards, but I'm not going to give in, I will not follow the crowd (for now anyways). Are you a fan of H&M's home ware?

Much love,

*this is not a sponsored post, (aha, I wish ;) )  all thoughts and opinions expressed are all my own (: love you guys!!

My Autumn Playlist

Mumford & Sons - The Cave

Ben Howard - Only Love

The Head and the Heart - Down in the Valley

The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather (I mean come on, it's not Autumn without it)

The 1975 - Robbers

Cattle & Cane - Dancing 

House fires - Good Good Father

One Direction vs Lana Del Ray - Born To Die / No Control

Novo Amor - Welcome To The Jungle

The Lumineers - Ho Hey

Cattle & Cane - Red

Ben Howard - Old Pine

Bon Iver - Holocene

Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man

One Direction - Fireproof

One Direction - Once in a Lifetime

Filous - How Hard I Try (ft. James Hersey)

Pentatonix - White Winter Hymnal

Novo Amor - Gold

Lana Del Ray - Video Games
Coldplay - Magic

What's your favourite Autumnal song at the moment?

Much love,