Monday, 20 October 2014

Chai Latte Cupcakes

Well hello there! :) Happy Monday guys! 

As many of you know (or don't) this week (Thursday to be precise) is Diwali! Diwali is celebrated by Hindu's, Jain's and Sikh's and all for different reasons. As some of you may or may not know i'm Sikh, so come thursday I will be going to the Gurdwara (sikh temple) to celebrate. Diwali is a significant day to Sikhs around the world, as it celebrates the realise of our 6th guru, Guru Hargobind Ji. 

Inspired by this Indian festivity, I decided to make some chai latte cupcakes. The star ingredient of this recipe has to be the chai latte mix by drink me chai. I literally love this stuff, it has a sweet taste to it and it makes me feel warm and happy.  Okay so lets get to it! 

 You Will Need:

  • 100g self raising flour
  • 100g brown sugar
  • 100g butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons of Drink me Chai's 'spiced' mix 
  • 1 Teaspoon of vanilla extract 
  • 1 small cup of milk
  • Buttercream frosting
  • 1 stick of cinnamon, 3 cloves and cardamon pods
  • Cupcake cases

1) Pre heat your oven to 180 degrees. Measure out the flour, sugar, butter, chai mix, vanilla extract and put all in the ingredients into a mixer. Crack the eggs into the mixer bowl and add 7 tablespoons of milk. 

2) Mix all the ingredients together until combined. Do not over mix, I repeat DO NOT OVER MIX! this causes the cupcake to become  tough, dense and bread like, and no one wants that. 

3) Spoon the batter into the cupcake cases and bake for 15-20mins or until a toothpick comes out clean.  
4) Whilst the cupcakes are baking, it is time to infuse the milk. Put the remaining milk into a small pan add the cinnamon, cardamon and clove. Let the milk simmer for about 10 minutes then leave to cool. When its cooled you can add a couple of teaspoons of this to any buttercream of your choice (I was lazy and bought buttercream from the supermarket). The rest of the milk you can drink, it tastes amazing! :) 

5) Pipe the buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes and they are ready to eat. 
For all you chai/cha lovers out there I highly recommend trying these, and don't forget to tweet me a picture if you do make these! :) 

Thursday, 16 October 2014

D.I.Y- Mason Jar Candle

Hey Guys, 

April here, and i may have gone mental with candles this week!
(My whole window sill may or may not be literally full of candles, much to the despair of my fighter fighting father)

Since i mentioned "twinkling Yankee candle's" in my previous post, its inspired me to try and make my own candles since its cheaper, and lets not forget, more fun. 
This is how i got on, and how to make your own...


I went online and ordered one mason jar, extra long candle wicks and a few blocks of wax, granted the wax colours weren't what i ordered, but i was too excited to giving candle making a go, that i didn't bother going through the hassle of returning it all back to amazon etc.



For this D.I.Y you will need;
  • 1x mason Jar
  • 1x extra long wick
  • 2x blocks of wax
  • A non stick, cheap ass sauce pan that you don't mind messing up, and use it to create a Bain-marie/double boiler to melt the wax (click here to learn how to make a double boiler)
  • Some sort of jug, to pore the melted wax in to the mason jar
  • Some heavy objects to balance the jar against if you want to set your wax on angles
(you may need more double boiler set ups, depending on your pattern you wish to produce and/or colours you want to use)
 [I used 2 double boiler set ups, so i could alternate the colours to make a zig-zag pattern]

(heavy objects)                                                (double boiler)

Instructions for my specific pattern;
  • Melt your first whole wax block down (10 mins to fully melt)
  • Dunk the end of the candle wick (metal bit) in to the melted wax then place in the bottom of your mason jar, give this 5 mins to set.
  • Carefully pore 1/3 of the melted wax in to your mason jar, via a jug (you need to make sure the wax sets at the same angle when using both colours, or the pattern will not look right)
  • You can now turn the cooker that's fuelling your double burner off 

(don't worry about the melted wax, it will set in the pan, but can be easily re melted when next needed)

  • You must allow plenty of time for each layer to set. I left each layer balanced between my heavy objects for half an hour then gave it a quick session in the freezer (10 mins) to make sure the layer is solid, this is so it can stand the heat of the next layer.
  • I then repeated this process 6 times over  until the jar was full to create the middle zig zag effect,.
  • Leave the full candle in the freezer for an extra half an hour to fully cool down
  • During the setting process, sometime the wax sinks in the middle, if this happens you can fill the hole up with some more melted wax, or ignore it, and once the candles been lit, and melted down a little, the problem solves its self.

 Here's a little time-lapse of the candle!

There we have it, a super cute, inexpensive alternative to a +Yankee Candle , I hope you enjoyed this D.I.Y - AND spoiler, i have something related to this for a Halloween special, stay tuned to find out ;)

Toodlepip xx


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Monday, 6 October 2014

Nutella Hot Chocolate

Hey guys! :) 

So I think Autumn is slowly creeping its way into the UK and you know what that means. Snuggly weather! Yes people its time to locate your scarfs, gloves and hoodies. It is also that time of the year when all you want to do is cuddle up on the sofa with a nice cup of hot chocolate. 

If you've already read the title of this blog post, you will know that today I am going to be making Nutella Hot Chocolate. This was a firm fav of mine at university, and I mean come on who doesn't like Nutella!

You will need:
  • Nutella
  • Milk
  • Whipped cream
  • Marshmallows 
  • A mug
  • A whisk
  • Tablespoon
1) Using the mug as your measuring guide, pour the required amount into a pan. Then add two tablespoons of Nutella with the milk. Use the whisk to distribute the Nutella and make the milk frothy. You should end up with something that looks like this
  2) Pour it into your mug and top with whipped cream and marshmallows.

I hope you guys try this out and if you do, don't forget to tweet me a picture :)

Saturday, 4 October 2014

"October-spiration"

Hey Internet!

April here, all cosy in my fluffy blanket sipping hot chocolate. All i need now is a tad bit of my guilty pleasure-keeping up with the Kardashians, and well, I'm in heaven.




 As the evenings are drawing in and its 81 days till Christmas-yes i said the 'C' word~sorry. 
I have been embracing the inevitability of winter, swooning over the autumn/winter fashion trends that are trickling in to our high street. I had to talk my self out of buying a navy over sized snood from Top shop earlier today, i don't think i have enough will power to last the whole winter! 
send help!

Personally this is my favourite time of the year, its still warm'ISH', but you can cosy up on the evening, with your favourite +Yankee Candle glistening away in the background burning up some of the most amazing Autumnal scents. I love going on little evening adventure's, jumping and kicking up all the crunchy leaves, BUT Lets not forget that October has Halloween too! meaning i get the yearly treat of both pumpkin calving and pumpkin soup! best of all, still getting to play dress up! call it juvenile, but what is life when your too serious?

This is my personal representation of Autumn. I wanted to share my favourite colours, aspects and textures that make this particular season so inspirational and..well.. awesome :)


All these images have been taken from +Instagram  using the hash tag #autumn go check it out if you want more autumn inspiration. 
This post was inspired by the beautiful post that +Zoella did talking about her favourite parts of autumn, click  'HERE' to check that out!

Toodlepip xx


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Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Feeling Autumnal?


Hello Internet!

April here, and I'm going to be sharing with you my autumn inspired fashion & Beauty wish list!

I'm going to start off with the beauty side of my Autumnal inspired look, because there are so many 
products on my mind that i want, that i need to write it down before i forget!


Beauty wish list

+MACEye shadow in colour amber lights- priced at £13

 (Link to Purchase)

I have always heard great reviews about the mac eye shadows, and i wanted to give this a try, and for £13 who can blame me!


+Too Faced- Better Than Sex Mascara- which for America is priced at $23.00 Meaning for us brits, we should pay around £14 excluding shipping.


I must admit with this product, i have kind of jumped on the band wagon, but how else are you meant to find a product that perfect for you?! and with so many recommendations i cant resist much longer!


+ TARTEAmazonian clay 12-hour blush at $26.00-(£16 'ish')

                                               

The range of colours they have for this blush are all so beautiful. For autumn, i feel a more earthy/nude tone blush with a statement colour lipstick would give a beautiful winter look! . Ive also seen a Vlog in which missglamorazzi raved about this brand, so naturally i mush have it in my life! 
I hate how easy it is for me to be incised in by a brand!

~And lastly on my cosmetic assault that is my wish list~ 


+Charlotte Tilbury- Matte Revolution Lipstick in Glaston-berry priced at £23




Now i have, admittedly, scoured through tons of reviews of this product, and not one has a negative comment,  the range holds fantastic autumnus colouring! The price tag may be a bit hefty but i recon it will be worth it! 
+FleurDeForce has done a beautiful in-depth product review of this, check it out here!





High-street clothing store wish list

+ TopShopLace Insert Flippy Dress priced at £26.00

I love, love, love, this dress, sometimes i prefer simple dressed because you can dress it up as much as you like, i want to style this with my black boots/tights, waist belt, leather jacket, and floppy hat for a cute monochrome autumn/winter look 


ASOS-Folded Collar Blouse priced at £22.00

                                               

This blouse needs to be in my life.... The collar detail is super cute and i have a perfect mustard colour jumper to style it with, paired with grey skinny jeans and brown boots


ASOS-Long Sleeve Blouse in Mono Cloud Print priced at £36.00

*cough cough* i defiantly did not just buy this when i was proof reading this post...
(i love how i have managed to talk myself in to buying this!)


+ Miss Selfridges cut work heart floppy hat-Price: £30.00


Erm.. i have this in black, and i love it so much, its a really cute way of va-va-vooming up a look AND it has a draw string inside so it fits smaller heads!... very clever!



 And finally i found this mood board on the river island website showing some inspirational fashion week street style looks. i very much want the "model off duty" look




There we have it! basically my Christmas list really :)
I hope you enjoyed reading through this and potentially inspired some purchases?
woowooo shopping
Toodlepip xx


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Monday, 29 September 2014

Eyebrow Tutorial

Today I thought I would do a quick eyebrow tutorial. Most of the time if I wear make up and especially if I wear my glasses, my eyebrows need to look good. I think eyebrows are key! They frame your face and make your eyes pop! Also wanted to add that eyebrows are sisters not twins, so don't worry if they don't look exactly the same :)

Before you do these five steps make sure your eyebrows are plucked/threaded/waxed to your desired shape. Personally I prefer threading, my pain threshold is quite high so the pain is bearable. But if i do have some stray hairs, mr tweezer does get a call. Okay, enough with the babbling Amreeta! 

You will need:
  • Eyeshadow matching your eyebrows (I like using this soap and glory one) 
  • Brow Mascara (I use a Maybelline one but to be honest there are better ones available) 
  • Angled Brush
  • Eyebrow Brush 

1) First of all brush your eyebrows with the eyebrow brush. I brush upwards then side ways. 
2) Dip your brush into the eyeshadow, and draw a line on the bottom of your eyebrow. If you want a more defined brow do this at the top at as well. 
3) Dip your brush into the eyeshadow again and make light strokes upwards to fill in sparse areas, do this until you reach the end of your eyebrow. 
4) Brush through the brow making sure all the sparse areas are covered and everything is blended in. 
5) Run through the brow with a brow mascara to keep everything in place. You could also use hairspray. Spray it on your finger and pat onto your eyebrows. (I prefer this method)  
That it your done! Hope you try this out, there are so many eyebrow products out there these days but I think eyeshadow works the best as it gives you a natural look. 

Friday, 26 September 2014

Fashion Week Edit!

(Missoni S/S15 in London)


Fashion Week Edit

September is always a busy month for designers as they set loose their new creations on the Catwalks all over the world, predicting what is the next big thing or hit trend for next year! Its crazy and I really give credit to them being able to do it twice every year.
Obviously being broke I didn't get the opportunity to go to any of the shows but some luckily stream and with social media I have been able to pick some of the shows and designers I liked the most. This is opinion based and I apologise if you don't agree with me :).
For novel reasons and purposes I will mention the bad and the darn right confusing ones :)




Somewhere inside there is that little girl who could only dream of looking like a Barbie. Well with the creative hands like Jeremy Scott and the Moschino team they made the Plastic Fantastic happen. Although some reviews claimed it as tacky and bimbo-ey, I personally think that it is embracing the idea of youthful play.

All the models seem to enjoy themselves in the clothes and thats what I like to see. No one is taking them selves to seriously. Its fun and thriving of exciting and wearable garments which I bet is exciting the high street so they can copy it. I can defiantly see a pink embrace for next season. Its very light-hearted and not garish like I could say about some catwalks.

Although my only thought was that its concept is rather obvious and I mean we could have expected this to come from the direction Moschino with the way it has been going.
It was a great soundtrack too check this link to watch it!!!

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/21775/1/moschino-ss15-live-stream

I love it and therefore I give Moschino 4/5!



Topshop surprised me, I think it was a bit like a love hate relationship all the way through their catwalk. Let me explain It was mainly focused on sportswear and all very wearable which is what I like to see from them because you know you will find it in their store at prices that we can actually afford- sort of :). But I just kind of expected more, prints wear limited to the same block colours and it was quite similar piece after piece I got kind of board. I think it needed a BANG or a POP just to make it that more exciting.

Saying that I think its more accessible to the majority of people and all I can think quite " Wimbledon " esque so Its deffinatly enthusing the start of a British Summer. 


Its summer in one place :) so for this Topshop gets a 3/5



Up and Coming Designer Hannah Weiland has created Shrimps!
Shrimps is a new faux-fur label that I think is worth a mention. Yes its a small unknown brand, I  like that though. I think this concept is great and it will grow. Her recent collection is a little Flintstone esque like Moschino its light hearted and youthful which i think is defiantly creative and pleasing to look at. Its a Kitsch- Tastic Label all fun, fluffy and sweet. I love texture of fur but also its the way they have done it with the different panels and prints incorporated in the fur and in the accompanying clothing.


Flintstone Flair for Fashion I give shrimps a 4/5  




Before you say anything yes this was his recent collection and not one from the sixties!
I felt like we had just been taken on a time travel to the sixties watching Tommy Hilfiger's collection on the catwalk. Although a rather great tribute and interpretation I just through this and could feel myself dozing off. What was he thinking, fashion backward more than forward. Terrible styling didn't help either to these looks with temporary star tattoos as iff they were a tribute to american culture? I just am lost for words his last collection was so much better it was like a winter wonderland full of inspiration.

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/21595/1/tommy-hilfiger-ss15

Sorry Tommy you didn't excite me with this 2/5!



Coach Is a brand I haven't really looked at to much but this collection caught my eye. Although the styling is a little questionable at times with this collection the creature-animated knits were another simple effect that excited me. Also the metallic mini bags! Also I would say very ready to wear for a very tall person- some of the outfits look like they could drown a normal person 

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2015/ready-to-wear/coach 

For vibrant knits Coach set the bar high but styling was a let down :/ 3/5





We have has a lot of Kitsch- esque designs coming through for next summer so it was nice to get back to Bold colours and sophisticated silhouettes.
I think Roksanda llincic's collection will be remembered for its innovative pattern cutting and especially the simplicity of it on the catwalk. Making good impressions Roksanda is growing and a designer we should be all watching out for!


For this colourful collection I give it a 5/5




Anya Hindmarch is a bag and accessory designer whom puts all humour and creativity into her work. It is really fascinating work that she has produced and what made it extra special was the whole production and effort in the show. With the audience on turntables and carousal like mechanisms with the models hopping on and off them it really made it eye catching. They had all sorts going on from dancers to tea cups and I found myself actually drawn to look at the bags and detailing because it was such an interesting way to display and visualise the pieces.


Overall excitement and I think the best Catwalk produced in decades!

For Tea cup rides all over the Uk this show gets a 5/5




The chaotic party has arrived! Fashion East transcends from subtle shapes and colours to almost a drunken party. Although its three different designers who exhibited for fashion east there was no cohesiveness between them. Although amazing and different as it is compared to some ready to wear shows I can't help be a little confused on what is actually going on. Once I did more research into them I found it a little easier to understand the concept be hid Fashion East. Its a good way to show at London fashion week iff your up and coming. Out of the three I preferred Lousie Alsop's collection (photo above) Subtle colours and the use of latex was quite clever. I also feel that Helen Lawrence's collection pushed the boundaries with texture, knit and colour. Was much more innovative (photo bellow) The shapes were quite tedious I felt there could have been more exploration to make that wow factor.


 And Last but not least Ed Marler's Collection through a polar opposite effect and threw me. All of a sudden you were thrown into a grungy vampire concept. This would have been spectacular on its own but with the other two collections I just felt a bit uncomfortable and confused. He had womenswear and menswear which I don't usually mind but once again this just baffled me. It meant I wasn't even focusing on the detailing or the actual garments. (photo bellow)



They are all were very experimental and I guess odd and exciting.

Lousie Alsop receives a 4/5
Helen Lawrence receives a 4/5 
Ed Marler receives a 3/5

so For fashion East overall 3/5







Osman Yousefzada is a designer you all need to know! After a few crazy designers being shown at London Fashion Week it was nice to see a simple and sophisticated looks coming through to. Not so overwhelming with subtle details like beading and a few prints I think it was a nice addition to the fashion Pallet.


Simply spiffing specifications Osman Receives 4/5



Some sort of Pyjama Party going on at Giles's show? I liked Giles's collection typically ball gowns and lavish fabrics that we know cost a bomb. But he did surprise us with the subtle jungle esque prints and Pyjama parts in some of the clothing. But of course some sparkle elements were used in the making it wouldn't be giles if it didn't. Overall the subtlety worked and the whole collection was very cohesive.


Nearly the tip of the iceberg just waited for that vavavoom that didn't come :(

Overall Giles receives a 4/5    



Mary Katrantzou pulled it back! I don't think she has had a good few seasons with her creations but I think she's got back on that horse and pulled it back. I really enjoyed her collection this season, more embroidery and more dazzle to it, also her prints were much more exciting. The clothing and pattern cutting was much more subtle and reflects more on what her collection used to be about. I liked the use of layering especially! 

http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers_profile.aspx?DesignerID=939

Well done Mary!! 5/5



I think that Massimo Giorgetti's design took a similar path I wanted to do in my own final collection with the embroidered flowers and plant life. I think it had this grungy feel to being with but as the collection progressed the style became very sportswear oriented and the colours got brighter and brighter which was a bit confusing. It was going in a lovely direction and as I said the similarities to my own work excited me but it became very disappointing quickly and It became all a bit jumble sale fide, I didn't know what to look at.
Not the most cohesive collection but still had some rather nice pieces.

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/21857/1/msgm-ss15  

MSGM leaves with a 3/5


Alberta Ferretti gave us a cheerful collection that mirrored a beautiful spring time. The collection was very earthy and bohemian but full of modern prints and embroidery that just set such a beautiful scene. It was cohesive and almost relaxing to look at with subtle colours that almost reminded me of a sun rising from a dark night. The construction and shapes were all transcending from one to another so cohesively and effortless. That is how a catwalk should be done, consistent and overall beautiful to look at and admire.


Alberta Ferretti was set in stone as soon as the first look was out 5/5



My Top Ten Of…

The Bad, The Ugly and The Darn Right Crazy


10. 

I felt like these models had just walked out of the Gangnam Style music video, though some of the collection was really interesting with colours and panels some of the looks were very dated with the choice in fabric and also the styling was slightly questionable- really did distract me!

9.

50 Shades of Amish was released on the Costume National Catwalk, I mean I can't believe the models agreed to wearing some of the raunchy creations they made.
It was just too provocative in all the wrong ways and I can't say they were sexy in any way. All sophistication was lost and they just looked a bit trashy!

8.

The models at Ashish just look like they were attacked by a disco ball.  It was just all a bit overwhelming and garish for me. Just Too much styling, too many elements!!

7.

Ohh Ashley, I mean were to begin. I am Sorry I just really hated your collection I've never bin a fan of a monochrome palette its just a bit lazy and it just felt like there wasn't a lot of effort put into this collection. The illustrations are just a bit childish and poorly drawn. Just anticipated a bit more throughout.

6.

I kinda want to say for this particular look "washing brush" I think this collection was quite amazing but I don't know how this is really wearable or even that exciting just a bit odd. The clothing is disoriented by the face masks and headwear. 

5.

Okay so Vin and Omi womenswear was marginally okay the menswear was just a bit odd.
I feel like the fake wigs and face paint is all circusy and nothing really made a connection with another. The print was the only thing that was cohesive.

4.

Another face painted rendition! I just don't know how to explain how I felt when I saw this collection. It would have been better with better styling and simpler accessories to match.

3.


Awww Little daisy's. Thom Browne how does your garden grow? 
The Headware is just too overwhelming for the looks and they aren't that good or exciting.

2.


I liked Meadham's previous work but this was just more artistic rather than fashionable. Especially the tampon earrings that they styled the looks with alone with neon shoes. It made me think about their concept behind this mess. Just wasn't my cup of tea this time round.

1.

Face Paint, odd accessories and questionable taste Sibling had it all… Wrong. Unfortunately when they decided to go into menswear it wasn't the best decision!
Plucked Chicken Alert!! 


Actually its a Draw!!!


Is ir just me or has Walle hit the Runway?
Han's collection is more than questionable with that headwear.
Shame really because they had rather nice fabrics and colours swell as the tailoring elements.






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