Ten Sentences That Changed My Perspective on Life

Hello everybody,

Having gone through some pretty tough times recently, one thing that has given me a bit of strength is looking at the quotes I believe have altered or affected my life in some way. Through relationships breaking down, my lovely Granny being in hospital and huge changes in terms of moving back to my parent’s house, now is as good a time as ever to remind myself of how great life can be.

‘Always remember that, nine times out of ten, you probably aren’t having a nervous breakdown, you just need a cup of tea and a biscuit.’

‘You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.’

‘Time heals everything. Give it time.’

‘It’s impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren’t feeling twinkly yourself.’

‘If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.’

I truly believe in channeling your emotions and turning whatever you feel – anger, sadness, grief, frustration amongst so many other feelings, into positive thoughts. Granted these quotes have not been the sole reason I am feeling particularly happy right now, but I feel they have helped me prioritize what is important in my life. I have also been thoroughly enjoying hour long commutes to work singing the Taylor Swift ‘1989’ album; the ultimate break up record, I have been drinking copious amounts of tea, baking and eating yummy cakes, and smothering and surrounding myself with family and friends.

 

Here’s to happiness.

Love,

Sophie xxx

Leibster Award <3

Yay, look an award!

Thank you so much to the wonderful Alice of Strange Made Me you have made my Monday so much better!

I love reading Alice’s blog; it’s beaut so I ask all my fab blog friends go check her out!

For those of you who are new to the Leibster award, here are the rules:

1. Display the Liebster Award logo on your blog
   2. Thank and link back to the person who has nominated you
   3. List 11 facts about yourself
   4. Answer the 11 questions they have posted
   5. Create 11 questions to ask
   6. Choose your own nominations

The 11 facts:

1. I find few things more satisfying than a cup of tea. I like mine milky!
2. I love to knit. Scarves at the moment but I am building up my knowledge.
3. I am a Deputy Manager of a nursery working full time and also doing a postgraduate alongside it, while commuting almost an hour each way every day. I couldn’t be happier.
4. I love to spend Sunday’s at my best friend’s house where we watch films, drink tea and gossip.
5. I am an avid baker, and aspire to go on the Great British Bake Off! I am always looking for bloggers who love to bake.
6. I am currently growing my hair, which seems to be taking an age.
7. I have seen Beyonce in concert three times, and it still isn’t enough.
8. When I was young, during a family holiday in Wales, I slipped in a rock pool and barbed wire went straight through my foot.
9. Rhubarb makes me projectile vomit.
10. I love dinosaurs.
11. I tend to get grumpy and irrational when I’m hungry. Doesn’t everyone?!

Questions:

1. What do you like to blog about? I want my blog to be a reflection of myself and my interests; so that includes tea, baking, beauty, hobbies. I love to blog and then read about other peoples’ lives, I find the idea of friendships through shared interests on a blogging platform lovely.
2. What’s the story behind your blog? I needed somewhere to escape to, to empty my thoughts and to create a project that was separate to my huge focus on all things career at the moment. I felt lonely at the time, and endlessly scrolled through blogs. Seeing how happy other bloggers feel through penning down their thoughts and feelings really inspired me to do the same.
3. Where are you from? Born in Derby, I moved to Uttoxeter when I was 4. Lived in Nottingham from 18-25, now I am back in Uttoxeter while I juggle work and studies.
4. What’s your No 1 place to visit? Brighton. Or Edinburgh. Or London.
5. Who inspires you? My Mum. My best friend Laura. Beyonce. My manager. Taylor Swift. Medical staff, particularly those who work on A&E and midwives. Childcare practitioners.
6. What is the one goal you are working towards? Becoming an Early Years Teacher.
7. What is your dream bag? The classic black quilted Chanel bag.
8. What is your all time favourite book? I LOVE Birdsong. And anything by Chris Manby. I also adore a book I have called ‘How to be Interesting’.
9. Can you speak more than one language? Nah, but I can speak a bit of French, oui.
10. What is currently your favourite song? Taylor Swift ‘Out of the Woods’. In fact, I just got the album and it is AMAZING.
11.  If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be? BEYONCE. And if this means people who are not with us anymore, my Auntie June, I would do anything to see her again. ❤

 

My 11 questions:

1. What is your biggest aspiration in life?
2. Why did you choose to blog?
3. Which people do you most admire?
4. What is the theme of your blog?
5. What would your dream job be?
6. What is your happiest memory?
7. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
8. What is the top thing on your bucket list?
9. Are you a morning or an evening person?
10. What is on your Christmas list?
11. What is your favourite quote?

I’m nominating:

Bambileigh

Little Laura

My Style Pages

Bows and Blush

Goingtobeatthiscancer

Love,

Sophie xxx

Tea Day Tuesday!

Hello again!

This week I have absolutely loved the Twinings Salted Caramel green tea.

I am currently sitting in my bedroom as the rain pours down and the wind blows, the candles are flickering and I am so glad I am inside all snugged up. This tea is perfect for the cold and miserable weather; it really warms your cockles and keeps you feeling cosy.

Now I must admit, when I first saw this box I was so excited so bought it immediately, however; when I made my first cup I really wasn’t sure about it. It didn’t taste quite how I imagined. A wise friend once told me you should try something three times then your taste buds will familiarise themselves with the taste and enjoy it… so I persevered.

And now I love it!

This tea is best with boiled water and without milk. I let it brew for a couple of minutes just to get the full flavour.

The smell is incredible. It reminds me of bonfire night, toffee apples and the smell of fireworks somehow. That first sip is so lovely, you can feel the warm liquid trickling down your throat and heating your soul. You can taste the salted caramel but it isn’t overpowering; it is just enough to lighten up your taste buds and soon turns into the rich green tea taste.

I was a bit worried it would taste salty and don’t get me wrong; w

hen the tea first enters your mouth it feels like it’s going that way but it soon turns into a sweet caramel flavour.

I would recommend this tea to all the tea lovers who like to experiment with flavours and like to try something new!

Let me know if you have tried this tea 🙂

Love,

Sophie xxx

My First attempt at Portuguese Tarts

 

In October 2012 I was very brave and left my job and my life behind to go to live in Sydney, Australia for six months. It was the best decision of my entire life and as well as all of the unforgettable experiences I had, my food adventure was incredible. I spent many a morning walking to the local bakery; buying a fresh loaf and a Portuguese tart. I would then walk to the bay, taking in the fresh sea air to then sit on the beach and eat whilst watching the waves gently hit the shore.
When I came back to England I was desparate to make my own tarts but never quite found the time. Until now! For my next batch my only improvements would be to roll my pastry slightly thinner and also leave them in the oven possibly 3 minutes longer; however there were no soggy bottoms on these tarts!

This recipe will make 12

You will need:

1 whole egg
2 egg yolks
4oz golden caster suger
2 tbsp cornflour
400ml full fat milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry

Method

1. Lightly grease a mufifin tin, pre-heat oven to 180c fan/Gas mark 6.
2. Combine the egg, yolks, sugar ad cornfour in a pan, then gradually add the milk until the mixture is smooth and well mixed.
3. Place the pan on a medium heat. Stir the mixture constantly until it thickens and comes to the boil. Remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
4. Put the custard in a bowl and cover with clingfilm to avoid a skin forming.
5. Roll out the pastry and cut into 12 discs, each around 10cm across. Press each disc into the muffin tin.
6. Spoon in the cooled custard. Bake the tarts for around 30 minutes or until golden on top.
7. Leave them to cool for 5 mins in the tin then move to a cooling rack.

These can be enjoyed warm or cool! I really hope you enjoy these, tag me in any posts where you have baked your own Portuguese tarts I would so love to see them.

Love,

Sophie xxx

Autumn Tag

After I saw the post BambiLeigh wrote and  how much I liked it I thought how much I’d love to do it too so here we are! If you see this I would love to see your tags 🙂

• Ok we’re talking coffee – what’s your favourite seasonal drink from Starbucks or another coffee shop?

As an avid tea drinker I normally go for an English Breakfast or Early Grey, however, I am very partial to a vanilla latte! I cannot wait for the gingerbread latte to make it’s appearance again!

• Accessories – what do you opt for, scarf, boots, gloves?

  I well and truly feel the cold so I love a big chunky knit scarf, normally leather gloves and a bobble hat. I love my ugg boots but when I want to look a bit smarter I love an ankle boot.

• Music- what’s your favourite music to listen to during Autumn?

  There is something about Ed Sheeran in the Autumn. I drive a lot due to commuting and singing along to Ed while seeing the beautiful Autumnal countryside around me is bliss. I also love Ben Howard, really calming and the perfect soundtrack along with flickering candlelight as the nights draw in.

• Perfume – what’s your favourite scent for this time of year?

  I’ve recently got the new DKNY: NY scent as a gift and really love it, it’s sweet but not overpowering and I have received lots of compliments!

• Candles – what scents will you be burning this season?

  I love candles during this time of year. Recently I bought the Airwick colour changing candle in Mulled wine and cinnamon apple, and it smells amazing, really Autumnal and a little Christmassy. I also have my favourite candle burning right now which is the Woodwick candle. It makes an amazing crackling sound when burning and it smells lovely and woody, I would definitely recommend to all! I have my eye on the Yankee candle Christmas collection too.

•  What do you love most about Autumn?

  I love the colours of the leaves on the trees, beautiful oranges, browns, golds. The foggy mornings and the smell of fresh crisp air is wonderful and really gets me in the wintery mood. I absolutely adore the fact that the nights are drawing in so the evenings are wonderfully cosy. I do like the summer but this is my favourite time of year.

•  Favourite makeup?

  I love my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette and think the natural tones are perfect or this time of year. I’ve also just bought a Bourjois golden shimmery eyeshadow to add a bit of glamour now the party season is drawing closer. Lastly my favourite Autumn make up is by far my MAC lipstick in ‘Plumful’, it is perfect with Autumnal colours, and isn’t too dark for my pale skin!

•  What are you looking forward to most in Autumn?

  I am so looking forward to firework displays and snuggling in my scarf and gloves. Along with that is the smell of fireworks and bonfires in the air; there is something magical about the glow in the night sky, it’s exciting. Snuggling in a blanket watching films and reading books while the cold night is trapped outside. Fireplaces, candles, hot chocolate, crepes, falling leaves, ugg boots, thick socks, woolly cardigans, pumpkins and Halloween!

I really enjoyed this tag so if you read this I invite you to take part in the tag and tell me all your favourite Autumnal things! Thanks for reading this!

 Love, Sophie xxx

Chocolate Banana Butterfly Cakes with Caramel Buttercream

Hi everyone! I made some scrummy cakes a couple of days ago so thought I would share my recipe!

Butterfly cakes are really easy and lovely to make if you have friends popping round for a brew and a catch up. I quite casually threw these ingredients together and the result was lovely fluffy cakes, the banana and chocolate really compliment each other and the caramel buttercream is mild, not overpowering! You could choose another flavour buttercream, just add a different flavouring!

This recipe makes 14 butterfly cakes.

You will need:

For the cakes:

6oz caster sugar
6oz margarine
2 eggs
6oz self raising flour
1oz cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 large banana (mashed)
For the buttercream:
4oz sieved icing sugar
2oz margarine or butter
1 tsp caramel flavouring

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, 350 Fahrenheit, gas mark 4.
2. Line your muffin/cake tray with cake cases as pretty as you like.
3. Cream the sugar and margarine together in a bowl until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing all the time with an electric hand whisk or by hand.
5. In a separate bowl add the sieved flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
6. Slowly fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture until fully combined.
7. Spoon the mixture into the cake cases then bake for around 20 minutes or until firm.
8. Once the cakes are cool, use a knife to cut a slice off the top of each cake; cut the slice in half.
9. Make the buttercream by creaming the margarine, adding the caramel flavouring while mixing. Slowly mix in the sieved icing sugar and stir until all the buttercream is smooth.
10. Use a teaspoon and spoon buttercream onto each cake and arrange the wings on top. Dust with icing sugar to decorate.

Perfect with a lovely cup of tea!

Hope you enjoy this recipe, I’m going to include lots of recipes as baking is truly a love of mine!

If you have any favourite recipes I would love to see them and give them a go!

Love,

Sophie xxx

Hooray For The Weekend!

I just love weekends. My weeks are always crazy busy with work and commuting so as soon as Friday night hits I can feel a wave of happiness rush over me. That feeling when you finish work and skip out f the door with pure joy on your face. I just love the weekend.

This weekend I knew I would be fairly busy so I had a very chilled Friday night planned. Recently I moved back home (I’ve lived away for six years) so I’m still adjusting to being back with my family but our house is very laid back and we tend to spend Friday nights relaxing with a takeaway and a film. I like to pamper on a Friday night so I put on the Soap and Glory Fab Pore 2 in 1 pore purifying mask and peel and painted my nails. I then used the No.7 Essential Moisture night cream and snuggled in my blanket with a cup of tea. Perfect.

On Saturday I woke up naturally at 8:30am. I cannot tell you how glorious I felt and I still feel it slightly as I type this on Monday; that’s how glorious it was. Through the working week I wake up on average between 5:30am and 7am, torn away from my slumber by my wretched alarm. So just the idea of waking up when my body is ready is a distant dream. TODAY IS A WONDERFUL DAY. I got ready and drove an hour and a half to one of my best friend’s parent’s house for her little boys first birthday.

I had a great time, and Travis looked like he was thoroughly enjoying himself, surrounded by family, friends and presents! The spread was beautiful and the cakes were amazing! We sang happy birthday and I had a lovely catch up with my friends, some I see a lot, some not so often so it was a great chance to talk and have a laugh together.

From there I drove to my best friend Laura’s house. It’s like a second home for me, so as soon as I step in the door I feel completely at ease. We watched Beyonce- Life is But a Dream and had a little gossip; and then we made a carrot cake. The recipe is good old Mary Berry: the recipe is here.

Laura’s boyfriend James cooked a delicious sausage pasta bake yummy and then we iced the carrot cake. We then spent the evening watching X factor, drinking tea and eating our carrot creation. I am so gutted we were so excited to eat it I didn’t get a photo! It looked just like Mary Berry’s… promise! So after eating lots of cake I drove home, singing along to the Wicked soundtrack all the way.

Baking organised chaos

Sunday morning was spent lying in bed, drinking tea and watching Frozen. Love that film! I’m so excited to spend Wintery weekends snuggled in blankets with candles lit, hot chocolate and Wintery Christmas films. Does anybody else store their stash of Christmas films and keep them locked away until October when the urge is just too great to hide them anymore? I am barely able to contain myself with excitement right now, winter is my favourite season. Eep!

The rest of Sunday I spent baking some lovely cakes. I’ll do a separate blog post with the recipe, it was a scrummy one!

What is your idea of a perfect weekend?

(P.s in this photo I’m wearing the MAC lipstick in ‘plumful’, my new fave, perfect for the coming season!

Sophie xxx