Baking Chronicles - Carrot Cake

I'm a real try hard baker. When I say that, what I really mean is 'I buy all of the ingredients in hope of an edible, normal shaped, tasty infact, cake'. I'm quite a dreamer, meaning I want to be Nigella Lawson or have an icing sugar range in Waitrose, we all need an achievable goal sometimes.

Despite the flat muffins, the Betty Crocker assisted mix and the pistachio cake that made my dad ill, I've learnt the one cake I'm really truly good at making is a Carrot Cake. There's nothing overly fussy about making it, nor does it contain the spices of unicorns and Jesus. It's a basic recipe I've played about with from Dan Lepard. To find the original recipe, click here!

I call this the only cake my dad truly likes because usually he'll tell me if he doesn't like something. This is a simple cake with lots of nutmeg and cinnamon, cream cheese and yes, real actual carrots. I opt out of using dried fruits because they are food of the grown ups and I personally don't like chewing through wrinkly fruit. I also up the spices in this cake because I've noticed the flavor sometimes disappears halfway through and I also add more because the cake smells only what I envision Christmas to be. I also like to use a vanilla butter cream in the center because think, why would not have vanilla butter cream in a cake?

Let me know if this recipe works for you!

The cake
175g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground nutmeg
200g light brown sugar
150ml sunflower oil
2 large eggs 
200g carrots (3 small-ish ones)
75g chopped walnuts (optional)

The middle
200g icing sugar
150g butter (Stork works best)

The top
200g soft cream cheese 
100g unsalted butter 
125g icing sugar

Somehow if you manage to keep chill throughout this, you'll end up with a little something below.

So, firstly...

Gather all your ingredients and realise you gotta stop buying organic because it's still a week till payday.

Combine your flour, baking powder and all the spices - again keep adding till you smell Christmas.

Mix oil, brown sugar and 2 eggs - sorry, not that attractive!

Add grated carrot to the unattractive mix, have a moment's silence for the skin you lost whilst grating.

Put all your ingredients in the bowl, like everything, and mix till you feel like it might pass as bakeable.

Put your mix into two rounded tins, and pretend you didn't spill most of it on the side...like I did.

Bake for about 25 minutes, or as the experts say 'till a clean skewer comes out' but you know...until it's no longer gloopy. You should end up with something like this...hopefully.

Then add a whole lotta love to the middle of the cake and yes, lick the bowl.

If you got really bored after this long process, you can just ice the top of the cake in the morning...like I did. I put a load of almonds and walnuts on top because it looked fancy.

And then finally, attempt to enjoy (if edible) and if not, well at least you did something that involved an oven and sugar!

I hope you enjoyed this somewhat tutorial!

Till next time,

Ellie

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Bucket List: Skydiving

I've never been afraid of heights, never really had that going to be sick, can't feel my legs and fear that the floor will come crashing through premonition. I've always quite enjoyed being way up high and possibly putting myself in the fear of the unknown. So when me and dad holidayed in Hawaii, the idea of skydiving was a must,

Skydiving is one of those things you always really want too do but never truly know how you'll feel till you're up in the air. I didn't really consider what we were doing until we got to the skydiving center and were being informed of potential death. Lets back track.

Located in Oahu, Skydive Hawaii is found as what is described as 'The Worlds Most Beautiful Drop Zone'. You can fall from either 20,000 or 14,000 or 12,000 ft with 'altitude guaranteed'. They ensure guaranteed enjoyment in safe hands as you drop, being able to see views of Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Kaena Point & the North Shore Coastline. Priced within the jump ranges, it varies between $150-175, but increases to a steep $998 if you want to go as high as 20,000 ft.

Me and my dad opted to go for 14,000 ft because you know we were only sacrificing our lives and jumping out of a plane, with a person on our backs of course. Before you jump, you're talked through all the musts and do not's, the true stomach churning part is when they talk about potential death, how to avoid it and what happens if you do die - ENCOURAGING.

Once 'reassured', you're strapped into harnesses, with belts fastened and buckles tightened in places I didn't know existed. You are then assigned a professional to jump with who talks you through how to land and stay relaxed, and most importantly, really enjoy it because it really is over in minutes. I rocked out my best kit for the day, a star wars shirt and red converse - which is the basis of any fashionista.

You don't truly know what nerves feel like until you are hunched back in a small plane as you go up and up with someone strapped on your back. You're given goggles to protect your eyes and advised 'to chill' - I mean can you really chill at 14,000ft? Before you know it you're plane door is opening and you're suddenly on the edge, in a matter of seconds about to drop. At this point there's no real turning back, unless you're red in the face and sweating tears from every pore and confident that you really can't jump. Within moments of sitting on the edge, before even thinking about what's about to happen, you drop.

Let me tell you, it is the best feeling. Not as nice as eating battenburg cake or just getting paid, but it's up there. You feel light as air when you drop, and it's only after you've prized you're eyes open that you see you're floating in the air. It did help that when we jumped we were in gorgeous Hawaii, but it's not at all what you expect. Everything is quiet and peaceful and before you know it you're edging near the ground to descend. Within moments all those nerves and fear of death are gone and you're on the ground, not quite believing what you've just done.

The guys at Skydive Hawaii are great, and really love what they do. They jump at all times of the day and never seem to get bored of it - why would you? I'd say the best part is later, when you're adrenaline is decreasing and it's only really just kicked in what you've done. Part of our package was that you got pictures/dvd/tshirt & a personal certificate - the real deal, because when you jump out of a plane, you sort of need to clarify you're pretty much up there with mission impossible.

This was one of many things crossed off my bucket list, I'd like to give it a go in Las Vegas to see different kinds of scenery, but one thing is for sure. The views coming down from the plane are amazing, I saw dolphins and a taco bell - now that's amazing.

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Afternoon Tea at The Ham Yard Hotel

Another Mother's Day has passed and still my love for my beloved Susan is as strong as ever. I've spent this past weekend in Farnham with my best friend, so I decided to take my mum out for afternoon tea a day after Mother's Day - and it was nice to have a Monday off work.

Afternoon tea is a favourite tradition for me and my mum, because it's always nice to have an opportunity to eat cake and catch up about the perils of life. I'd call us afternoon tea novices are who slowly but surely spreading our wild oats when it comes to the afternoon tea life.

I took us out to the Ham Yard Hotel, located just 3 minutes from Piccadilly Circus and was so simple to get too. Tucked away in Ham Yard, appropriately named, the hotel is one of many from the chain of Firmdale Hotels. I have to say it's very swish and modern, almost rightfully placed as you enter Soho. Even though we just went for tea, I'd like to go back to the hotel, as it has it's own bowling alley and the decor looks amazing, very vibrant and overall, just very cool.

We were seated in a conservatory as such, with wicker chairs and dangling ornaments from the ceiling, with china plates and cups adorned on a table for us. We were given menu's offering the tea flavours and another menu with what afternoon tea we would be having. We went for the classic afternoon tea at an affordable £19.00 each. Mum went for an americano (SHE IS SO DAMN FUSSY) and I decided to be a real rebellious girl and try out Rooibos Tea.

(look at a glimpse of my babe susan, sipping her classy coffee)

We were then served our 3 tiered platter of excellence and all things cake and dough, and were eager to tuck in. Being the cool cats we are, we started with the savouries - which were uber trendy. They consisted of fingers sandwiches with smoked salmon & cream cheese/tomato & cheese (don't you just feel well posh when you eat sandwiches with no crusts and fit perfectly in your hand?), feta cheese and spinach toasted rolls, toasted olive bread with serrano ham and hummus and lastly, our favourites, chicken & avocado sliders - which were perfect size and tasted amazing. It's nice to have a real different mix up of savouries rather than just sandwiches.

We did the appropriate thing of 'taking a break' before we tucked into the sweets, but really that translates as 'loosen your belt, we're going to eat some cake'. The sweets consisted of mini loafs of carrot cake (even though mum said mine was better, because she's a goddess and she just knows), lavender and strawberry macarons, a chocolate & caramel blondie, a chocolate drenched profiterole, an egg custard tart adorned with a pansy (DEAD POSH) and a vanilla fairy cake with a fancy shmancy icing. These again were to die for and just the right size.

Finally, the big deal, the piece de resistance, the final test of all afternoon teas...SCONES, more appropriately named 'Scone With The Wind'. Sometimes with afternoon tea's you're so flumoxed by the amount of savouries and sweets, that the scones get left by the wayside because there either too big or you've eaten so much, you can taste sugar coming out of your pores. Well let me tell you, these scones were just right. Bite sized and literally toasty warm, they were complimented with strawberry jam and rich cream, which finished the tea off just right.

Overall I thought it was great value for money, set in a nice location and surrounding, with the staff being hospitable and checking in if we wanted more refreshments and if everything was 'to our satisfaction' (Of course it was, you fed me caramel and love). I'll definitely be heading back to the Ham Yard Hotel, possibly again for another spot of afternoon tea or just to sit at the bar, glugging a gin and tonic.

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Mother's Day or just a simple Sunday!

Check out the website here for the hotel! Ham Yard Hotel



Till Next Time,


Ellie

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My View On: Drunk Texting

We've all been there right? Or going to be? Or maybe you are that lucky soul who leaves their phone in their bag and doesn't wake up the next day, wondering why you expressed your love for sandwiches on instagram.

I have been, am and will be a drunk text-er forever more. I'm not a bad drunk text-er, just a flirty one. I'm the type that reads the text back like, 'carpe dayum, who do I think I am? Beyonce?'. I'm also a drunk-texter who loves to text about how amazing chips are (cos they are) and how good brownies would be right now and also can I come over? my bed has disappeared and my door keys have melted into a pile of mecury.

We can all be different when it comes to texting. We are taught to leave our phones alone, we will only end up regretting it in the morning and obviously no good will come of this. We are taught that telling somebody you love them via text is just made up due to the fact vodka entered your system and you dance like there's no tomorrow. We are taught to drink responsibly because you could send your boss a drunk text saying how much you value them - which, in the first place why do you have your bosses number, and secondly, you don't value them - none of us do.

Live with the regrets and consequences the next day, we say as we down another drink. Make subtle hints to suggest where you are, what you're doing and who you're with to spur some kind of comment from the receiver of a text, a plan which we can all vouch for. Better yet text your best friend and tell them how much you love them, they don't hear it enough we think.

Then we get a little PG, if applicable. Some people when drunk go the extra mile and remove an item of clothing or two, and this, we are also taught, is how revenge pictures come into the equation. So you sent a picture of your chesticles when tipsy and you thought the person you sent it too would never share or show. Unfortunately, the only true downside to drunk texting is this. Being careful sounds extremely grown up and only grow up if you wish, but take precaution because god knows what men can do when spurned. However if you don't care, then feel free - I respect women who have the courage and love their bodies, it's yours and you do what you want with it.

When it comes down to it, my opinion is that there is no shame in sending a drunk text. I used to think it was completely sinful, that I would lose friends and that I was idiotic, but growing up I've realised there is no shame in expressing your love for someone or telling somebody how great they are. Tell them 5 times or 50 times, you had them in your mind for a reason, despite your mind being cloudy and perhaps judgement being slightly off, there is no shame.

Now this is just my opinion, so everybody is different. It would kill us all to be the same. The only advice I would give to my younger self is, Mcdonalds nuggets at 2am aren't that good, go to Subway instead'.

Till Next Time,

Ellie

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A Week In Pictures

1. I'm so excited to be seeing Fleetwood Mac this year in June! I'm a huge Stevie Nicks fan, so I can't wait to poke fun with this shirt at the show.

2. After a long trip to and from Sheffield, cupcakes were in order! From Lola's, I got more than I should and they were Devine as always.

3. I've now happily lost a stone and a tad and have noticed the difference because my jeans keep falling down, but I'm loving seeing the results.

4. Red lipstick is my guilty pleasure. I recently purchased Bourjouis Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick. At only 7.99, it's a treat.

5. I had my first trip up north this weekend to visit one of my prospect universities. I went to Sheffield Hallam University but occupied the time by watching Wild, which was great. 

6. Afternoon Tea at Cake Boy went down a treat. Located in Battersea, it's an afternoon full of sponge and sugar, definitely worth a visit!

Enjoy your upcoming week!

Till next time,

Ellie 

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Afternoon Tea at Cake Boy

I'm a fan of afternoon tea. I don't know someone who wouldn't enjoy sitting around eating dainty miniature versions of sandwiches and pastries. I never knew afternoon tea was such a craze up until a few years back when I noticed how popular it was among ladies.

I had been booked on a cake decorating course at Cake Boy until it unfortunately got cancelled, but redeemed my voucher to attend an afternoon tea session. This was all done through Red Letter Days where it is so easy to book and arrange classes without the hassle of calling up the shop and booking days and time/slots. 

Before I could actually tuck into what I can only describe as a cake fantasy, getting there was the tricky part. It's quite a strange location when you do eventually get there and get there we did. Located 10 minutes from Clapham Junction station, it's definitely a job for Google Maps to get you to the front door. As opposed to a standard afternoon tea in a hotel, Cake Boy is situated underneath a huge block of trendy flats, so really somewhere you'd least expect.

image courtesy of emondeestdoux.e-monsite.

The shop itself is very...modern. It triples as a shop, cookery school and a dining area. So, it's technically the triple threat of cake & pastry shops. What I like the most about this place was the colors of all the cakes, the amazing range of kitchen aids on the worktops and then all the products you can take away with you if you get the baking bug. 

I took my mum to tea with me and seeing as this had been my first 'proper' afternoon tea, I wasn't really sure what it would consist of, I thought afternoon tea was literally tea and scones, lord knows how my heart skipped beats when macarons got involved. My only problem is i'm neither a tea or coffee drinker, so afternoon tea sometimes turns into afternoon hot chocolate. 

Once we had arrived we were seated on a plush couch in the dining area and within minutes brought a makeshift table of delights.

image courtesy of red letter days blog

We were brought, firstly, rolls & croissants filled with Chicken Caesar/Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese/Roasted Vegetable/Parma Ham & Mozzarella.  These were delicious and so fresh and light, which was especially good as we were gearing ourselves up for the cakes. 

Now this really was a like a work of art. It's not just as if they were slabs of cake that had been given to us, there was variety and things I'd never even tried before. They include raspberry,chocolate & lime macarons, mini creme brulee's, mini eclairs, mini lemon tarts, white & dark chocolate moulded cake bites with slabs of chocolate placed upon and lastly my favourite, Green tea cone filled with passion fruit mousse and coconut shavings - now this was class. 

Mum had coffee and I had a hot chocolate, included - may I add - with a glass of champagne, which you know if you're going for afternoon tea, is not always expected, so this was an extra treat. 

As you can image, we were pretty stuffed afterwards, so the walk back to the train station was something of a relief to walk off the amount of sugar we had consumed. The Staff were lovely and helpful. always offering more hot drinks if wanted and willing to provide more sweet treats if your buttons on your shirt hadn't already popped off.

Overall it was a great afternoon spent with mum, although location was a little tricky, I think once people had tried the tea overall, that the location wouldn't even be a thought. I'd like to re-visit Cake Boy to attend a cake decorating class with owner and pastry/dessert chef himself, Eric Lanlard. 

Have you tried this tea or could you recommend another good afternoon tea?

Till Next Time,

Ellie 

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March, Be Good To Me

'Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.' - Doug Larson.

'Spring is the time of plans and projects.' - Leo Tolstoy.

'It's 9 months till Christmas!' - Me.

How are we already in March?! What have I been doing for the last 2 months I ask, as I sit here knowing I'll be asking the same question in a couple of months time, still overspending, listening too loads of show tunes and debating whether a 12 box of krispy kremes are a good idea. CORRECTION - always a good idea.

I'm pretty excited for this month to commence, things are happening! I'm visiting Sheffield twice within the month to visit Sheffield University & Sheffield Hallam University, which means this month is decision making time. Sheffield is about 3 hours away from where I live in Essex so I've roped my beloved mother in to driving me one day (I can drive, I'm just scared of my own car) and catching a train the next time. It only dawned on me the other day that if I choose to go to Sheffield, 3 hours is a trek of a time away from Home, so I really will be moving out - insert Billy Joel's well good song, Movin' Out - but I'm excited to get to see the campuses and see what may possibly be in store.

Another big deal is one of my best friend's birthday. I'm travelling to Farnham (not as much as a trek as Sheffield) for his 22nd birthday and of course I'll over pack, and naturally I'll overspend and yes of course, I'll drink too much beer. They're not called Birthdays for no reason, right? I wanted to say what I got him for his birthday on here, but until he gets it, I'm not going to give it away - in case he's peeking. I've been to Farnham's a couple of times and I've now nicknamed it 'The Shire', mainly because I think it resembles the town in The Lord of The Rings. 

Finally we have Mother's day. I love my mum, like literally she's a babe. I'll be taking a couple of days off work this month, one of which I'll be taking her out for Afternoon Tea at the Hamyard Hotel in Soho. A post to follow soon!

I'm hoping this is going to be a good month and to get to speak to a lot of new bloggers and get improving on my blog!

Till Next Time,

Ellie 

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