My Great British Bake Off!

Last week, the day after BBC's Great British Bake Off 2011 Final, our work "Town Hall" meeting took place. As a bit of fun we were all asked to choose a recipe from the cook book that accompanies the series. I'm not the best baker, but I love cupcakes and I love their simplicity and how much fun you can have with a little bit of sponge and icing!

Just like the tarts, the recipe requires you fill the centre with a splodge of jam. So having a few little jars of my Nanna's left over Strawberry jam from my Wedding favours, I decided to give them a go.

Sadly, I didn't win, but I didn't expect to either! I had fun though and they tasted yum. Here's some pics of my bash at them and the recipe courtesy of BBC Food website!

 

THE RECIPE

Ingredients 

For the cupcakes:

150g margarine

150g caster sugar

100g self-raising flour

3 free-range eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp milk

60g ground almonds

90g raspberry jam

For the icing:

250g icing sugar

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

12 un-dyed glacé cherries

Preparation method:

1) Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

2) For the cupcakes, cream the margarine in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add the remaining ingredients, except the raspberry jam, and mix until well combined.3) Spoon the mixture into the cases and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until risen and golden-brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

4) For the icing, mix the icing sugar and lemon juice together in a bowl until smooth.

5) Using an apple corer, carefully remove the middle of the cupcakes. Fill the holes with the raspberry jam.

6) Carefully spoon the icing onto the top of each cake until the icing reaches the sides of the cake case and top with a cherry.

Enjoy! xx

Bringing the Outside, Inside

Like most of the nation earlier this year, I was super excited about the Royal Wedding! Not just for the day off or excuse to have a party, but for finally seeing unveiled the build up to the most exciting Royal Wedding since Charles & Di. From what Kate was wearing to the cake design, her accessories and makeup, to sneak peaks inside the Palace and what there first dance would be - I couldn't wait to see what they'd choose and what inspiration us brides to be could take from the day!

Trees inside St Pauls

For me the minute we got a glimpse of those tall trees inside the Cathedral I was hooked. "Kate & Will", the "down to earth", "outdoorsy", "normal" couple we're lead to believe; was this their way of bringing a relaxed and country feel to their Wedding? And let's face it, it looked fantastic!

So for most brides to be, placing trees inside your ceremony venue is not a viable option - imagine having that conversation with your vicar or registrar (let alone the cost)!? But what I personally love about the trees in the Cathedral is that it is natural, elegant, unique and a very clever way of bringing the outside, inside.

Lets face it licensed outdoor venues are hard to come by. So with this in mind I have recently been thinking about unique ideas for adding a natural touch to wedding ceremonies, outside or inside. Here are some ideas in photos. Enjoy! 



My church flowers placed at front and back of church

 

Rose petals up the sides of the aisle 

Ribbon tied from bamboo sticks

Balls of flowers on ribbon

Wild clusters of flowers tied to chair ends

Sporadically place jars of floating candles and rose petals

Jars of wild and seasonal floers tied to jam jars hung at random

Tie single blooms to ribbon and secure to aisle end

And did I personally take inspiration from the day? Yes! My husband and I drove our own car away from the church ceremony to the reception!

Not quite the vintage Aston Martin - but our bit of Royal inspiration!



Buying Bridesmaid Dresses On The High Street

When I got married earlier this year my dress was designer, but my bridesmaids were from the high street. My reason for doing this was because I wanted a relaxed, fun, dressy style that my bridesmaids would feel comfortable in and want to wear.  

 

Dusky Pink Dresses by Warehouse 2010, £75 each

Dresses were accessorised with hair corsages by Accessorize £7 each

So many Brides are moving away from the traditional made-to-order boutique bridesmaid dresses and looking to their favourite high street stores for pretty, effective and understated, but elegant dresses that will wow guests and complement their theme.

Currently my favourite high street chains for bridesmaid dresses are H&M, Warehouse and Oasis.

High street dresses won't be made to fit, but it will be a standard size that your bridesmaids are used to and half the price of a boutique designer brand! Long or short, you'll find a length that's en Vogue and flattering to the current trends.

Just like any fashion, weddings follow a trend. A lot of the bridal designers, who influence the style and editorial of the magazines you buy, will be basing the look and feel on their new dress collections on wedding fashion - so if you've spotted an idea, theme or colour trend you like the look of in a mag - chances are you'll find a dress on the high street to match.

VINTAGE GLAMOUR  1900's - 1930s

Dresses suited to this theme are sot brown, deep creams and antique pink. A new take on this for 2012 will see organic hues will give a feeling of wellbeing and tranquility. Be daring in a subtle way with soft aquas, light tangerines, celedon greens and dove greys.

 

Pink: H&M £19.99 | Brown: £24.99

Grey: Warehouse SALE £15 | Nude Flapper: Oasis £75


ALL THE FUN AT THE FAIR 1950s
How much did you love going to the fair as a kid? This trend suits a colour palette of black & white, sunshine yellow, burnt orange and bubble gum pink. Mixing a palette of fun, bright, sweetie coloured tones, serving bowls of hard candy and offering guests large outdoor games, evoke all the fun memories of the fair.


Daisy Spot: Oasis £50 | Yellow: River Island £45

Orange: Oasis £60 | Pink: Oasis £90

BEJEWELLED - 1960s

When it's all about making a statement with sparkle, glitter and shimmery candle light. Bright jewel colours are the perfect touch to a glamorous 1960s cocktail party. Add sheer tights in winter or nude seamed tights in summer, a pair of sparkly heels, a wrist corsage of roses and a martini glass in hand! Teal, emerald and midnight blue will be a popular trend for 2012 as well as hot pink and purple.

Emerald: Oasis £70 | Teal: Oasis £70

Purple Oasis £70 | Pink: Oasis £70

THE KEY IS TO ACCESSORISE!

Buying on the high street should relieve your budget for customising and making alterations to what is effectively a blank canvas. Make the dress their own by change plastic belts (the dress comes with) for matching or contrasting coloured sashes. Add embellishment by adding a few sparkly beads to the neckline or buy statement shoes with diamante detail or coloured soles. Cheap buttons can be easily replaced for vintage or antique miss-matched buttons and nude or sheer tights with a seam says instant vintage glamour.

 MY ENGLISH ROSE WEDDING 2011

 Here's a look at my 'high street' bridesmaids on my Wedding Day.

Dresses by Warehouse, Shoes by Next, Jewelery and Hair Corsage by Accessorize