March favourites '14

To start, I cannot believe it is April. It still feels like February to me. It appears that I have actually never done a 'monthly favourites' post, which is odd as I love reading them. There is so much I want to share here on my blog, but often don't get to because.. well.. it just doesn't happen. Favourites are a great way to show some of the little gems that would otherwise go unknown. I doubt I will post one every month, but now and then you can definitely expect to see my favourties appearing on here.

 

Beauty Favourites

1.  Elegant Touch rapid dry for nails. This is a savior. One of my pet peeves is almost-dry nails that upon contact with anything wrinkle up and ruin, meaning you have to start all over again. This spray prevents that from happening in under a minute. Yay. 2. Soap and Glory the richteous butter. Hmmmm this scent. I have been applying this generously after showering and my skin has never been softer. Seriously worth a try. 3. Lavera eye makeup remover. All natural and completely gentle, perfect for sensitive skin. 4. Maybelline the colossal colume mascara. Despite the name, this mascara is really quite natural looking, which is great for day-to-day wear. 5. Butter London Lipgloss 'Frilly Knickers'. This gorgeous iridescent lip gloss was unfortunately limited edition, but I can highly recommend other Butter London lip glosses. 6. Dr Organic manuka honey face scrub. To say that a skincare product has 'transformed' your skin always seems like an exaggeration. Not here. I think it is the manuka, but this product literally leaves your skin new-looking and beautifully fresh. 7. Urban Decay Naked 2. This lovely was a Christmas gift and has been a regular in my daily makup since. The colour selection is fantastic and definitely a favourite.

Food Favourites

8. These cranberry and orange cookies from the ever trusty Marks and Spencer's are a real treat. Not one to usually trust cookied containing anything other than chocolate, these came as a pleasant surprise. 9. Sultana & Apple porridge (again by Marks and Spencer's. I am not a representative, I swear) is a tasty was to start the day. 10. Bournville cocoa has got to be the richest and most comforting hot chocolate out there. Like a hug in a cup. 11. This Teapigs rooibos is a flavour-full alternative to caffeine induced breakfast brew. Teapigs in general though ✌

Random Favourites

12. My ancient i-pod shows Fall out boy's latest album 'Save rock and roll' which I am shocked to only now be appreciating. *Round of applause please*. 13. I had to include this cute little cat rubber saying 'meow' just because. 14. This month's Vogue came with a Miss Vogue featuring the gorgeous Jourdann Dunn. Her shoot was stunning. 15. I started Rivers of London earlier this month. It has taken me a while to read purely because finding the time isn't easy. At first, I found this book a bit odd, but it is an enjoyable read and very funny. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try something a bit different. 16. Last but definitely not least, Grey's Anatomy which was introduced to me by friends who now resemble gods. This tv series is incredibly addictive and well done. A MUST-watch :)

xo

S/S '14 must haves #1: Blues

So now that spring is officially here, I thought it was about time I re-introduced my 'must haves' series. Spring is great for many reasons, but the fashion at this time of year is definitely peak. I love the colours and refreshingly light fabrics after having clad myself in dark woolens for the past 6 months (glamorous I know). Blue was undoubtedly the master colour during the S/S fashion weeks. The catwalks saw seas of vibrant, light, dark, electric, cobalt, blue. I love the colour blue. It is perfect for both spring and summer. My wardrobe really needs a wash of it. So here are my top picks for this lovely trend.

From left to right:
Shirt- Urban Outfitters            Trousers- Topshop         Skirt- Asos
Top- The Little Dear                Shoes- Zara                    Bag- Asos 
Shirt- Warehouse                     Dress- Anthropologie     Skirt- Brandy Melville  



xo

They grin, but they don't mean it

If I am honest, I really don't like doing outfit posts. Picking an outfit is stressful, taking the photographs can be awkward and I always end up looking back on my outfit posts in horror at the way I look. Yet they are by far my favourite posts to read on others' blogs, so I figure they make for the best content. Although I do always look in envy at how great outfit posts look on other blogs. This outfit is very casual and simple but that is why I like it. Sometimes I think the less thought through looks are the better ones. Please excuse the two-year-old shoes, they looked sad in the shop and I love cats so...

 Top- J Crew   Jeans- River Island   Jacket- Forever 21   Scarf- Asos   Shoes- Asos

Hello to my cute dog-neighbour who always pops his head through the fence whenever I am in the garden. :)

xo

Double chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter centre

I love to bake. I am not the best at it, but I do enjoy doing it. My baked goods usually excel in the taste realm rather than the appearance one. I can't actually remember where I got the idea for these, so if it was from someone I know then this is me crediting you now. Trust me these are delicious, though maybe not for the savory lover, they are pretty much sweet on sweet on sweet.

Ingredients (makes 12):

• 50g of cocoa powder (+ 1 tablespoons set aside)
• 1/2 cup of natural yogurt and milk mixed
• 80g of self-raising flour
•  1/4 teaspoon baking powder + baking soda
• 80g of butter (+ 1 tablespoon set aside)
• 90g of caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter
• 40g of icing sugar
• 1/2 cup of double cream
• 120g of chocolate (dark or milk

 1. Preheat the oven to 180 Celsius. Mix the cocoa powder in a bowl with 1/4 cup of boiling water until a paste is formed. Add the yogurt/milk. In a separate bowl, sift the flower with the baking soda, baking powder and add a pinch of salt. In another bowl beat the 80g of butter with the sugar until fluffy. Add in the eggs and beat before mixing in the dry ingredients and the cocoa mixture. Spoon the mixture into 12 lined muffin cups about two thirds. Let them cook for 15-25 minutes until cupcakes are springy. Let cool

2. Beat the peanut butter with the table spoon of butter until creamy. Sift in the icing sugar. Spoon this mixture into a piping bag if you have one. If you are pipingbag-less like me then take a zip-lock bag and snip off a tiny part of one of the corners. Push the peanut butter filled bag into the cupcake and pipe until the centre is filled. If you are using a zip lock bag, then make a small hole in the middle of the cupcake with a skewer, before filling. Scrape any filling of the top of the cake and repeat until all cakes are filled.

3. In a small saucepan bring the double cream to a simmer. Add the chocolate until melted, and leave the mixture to cool. Once cool, spread the icing onto the top of the cupcakes.

ET voila!


xo

Blog Sale

Venturing into a new realm here on my blog, I thought I would start a blog sale. For those of you who don't know what this is, it's basically where I sell unwanted clothes, makeup etc to you lovely lot. If it is successful I may even give it it's own page. 

The boring bit:

If you are interested in any of the following things then please email me at a.style.mosaic@gmail.com.

UK only at the moment.

Preferably using PayPal.

Makeup

Mac Lipstick: 'Out minxed' £8.00  RRP: £15.00  

Mac Lipcreme: 'Goes and goes' £8.00  RRP: £17.50  SOLD

Eylure false eyelashes: £4.00

Milani Lipgloss: 'Redwood' and 'Sherbet' both £4.00

Nail Rock: £3.00

Clothing

 Floral skirt Danity size small: £8.00  SOLD

xo