'20 things about meeee '

So I saw this post on Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter's blog and thought hey what a fab idea. It allows you the reader to learn a little bit about the girl behind feed the sharks and if i'm honest I have a bit of a soft spot for things like this ... I like surveys and such like.I have however changed it to 20 things  If you wanna check out Louise's post here is the link ... I strongly urge you check it out her blog is such a good read , full of beauty reviews and general feel good posts :) Link   
So here we go: 
20 fact's about your's truly enjoy :) 

Please excuse the cringe photo :P


1.  Age 21. Study History . No idea what's around the corner

2.In July I am going to work in Canada till the end of August...so so excited

3.I am still a huge child I love anything cute,Disney and stuffed toys. I still even watch Kid's TV.

4.I love the moomins thanks to my mum who lived in Finland one summer when she was young ... Jealous much?

5. I have two tattoo's and want Hakuna Matata on my foot because I worry all the time and hey the Lion King is fantastic

6. Feed the sharks may seem like such an odd name for a baking/beauty blog and it probably is but it was just something I used to say in school( I was a bit of an emo child)

7. Lillies are the most beautiful flower

8. The smell of Chanel Coco Madamoiselle is also beautiful always will be my favorite

9. Reading is a huge past time of mine although I rarely get chance to read a non academic book nowadays

10. I love travel and seeing different cultures. I especially love France

11. I always worry what other people think and I always pick the skin on my fingers ... my boyfriend calls me a worry bot

12.Live music is the where it's at . Last year I was lucky enough to see Foo Fighters and Bruce Springsteen (with my daddy yes he's a cool dude) This year I am seeing Brucey again... now if only Beyonce was in the UK

13. Yellow is the happiest colour ever

14. My housemates say I am obsessed with make up and Topshop

15. I love TEA and GOOD coffee

16.  Completing the Great North run is my biggest achievement to date

17. You can't beat a good Sunday roast especially the stuffing. YUM

18.  Christmas is my favorite time of the year ... my mum is now disabled and I live away from home so it's a lovely time as a family

19.  I am not a big fan of potato's

20. Blogging is great fun ... I may be new to it but it's a great release and there seems to be such a great community going on.

#3 Mint Matchmaker cupcakes

`100g plain flour, 20g cocoa powder, 140g caster sugar 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, a pinch of salt , 40g unsalted butter , 120ml whole milk , 1 egg, 2 tbsp peppermint, 1 tbsp vanilla extract
for the icing 500g icing sugar 250g softened butter 2 tbsp pepper mint 1 tbsp green food coloring and of course mint matchmakers for decoration .


1. Preheat an oven to 170 degrees (325 F- gas 3)
2. Weigh out the dry ingredients and combine in a large mixing bowl and combine using a spoon or hand held whisk .
3. In a separate bowl  whisk  egg , milk, vanilla and peppermint extract  and then slowly pour into the dry mixture each bit at a time.  Make sure everything is Incorporated and smooth.
4.Spoon your mixture into paper cases and bake in your pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.  Leave your cupcakes to fully cool and make the icing in the meantime.

Icing: 

1.Make sure your butter is softened or it will be difficult to combine.
2. Slowly mix in the icing sugar ( do it slowly or you'll make a white mess everywhere - although pretty not nice to clean )
3. Use a hand held whisk to combine the butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy ( this should take about 5 mins)
4. After about 5 mins add your peppermint essence(your choice how you want it) and some green coloring.
5. Make sure your cakes are fully cool and ice . You can then decorate with matchmakers.

YUMMY . ENJOY .

Khiels midnight recovery concentrate

Earlier this month I picked up the Khiels midnight recovery concentrate I'd been wanting to try a night serum for a while now n I love Khiels as a brand so thought hey why not try the midnight concentrate.  It's meant to be most active between midnight and 4am because this is when the skin absorbs the nutrients best ... interesting eh?  The mix of essential oils are meant to work as one to provide younger,supple hydrated skin .
You know I was cautious but I love it ... I don't know that it makes me look younger but my skin defiantly has a glow to it and feels much plumper in the morning. and it smells beautiful . There are a couple of drawbacks to this product 1) Glass bottle and travelling isn't ideal and the dark blue bottle does make it difficult to see how much is left. You can use it alone or with a night cream... my cream of choice is the ORIGINS High potency night-a-mins. 

 I picked mine up at Space Nk at £36 for 30ml 

Will you be picking up the Khiels midnight recovery? 

#2 Budget buy- T.K.Maxx

Granted it's not a buy it's a shop but you can really get some good bargains ... if you're willing to search. It really is a one stop shop you can get beauty bits,clothes and homey/lifestyle bits what more can you need? My top picks have got to be candles there are some really gorgeous ones at a cut price ( I am still not willing to part with my cash for a diptyque presents? ) Also my dear friend Emily recommended going to T.K.Maxx for Underwear especially Calvin Klien,DKNY and wonderbra( £9.00 rather than £35 - great for flat chested ladies). I have also picked up various haircare bits - they even sell Bumble and Bumble, My dad likes to pick up Baylis and Harding hand soaps for the house and my sister often picks up Essie polishes there . So Ladies and Gents I urge you to toddle along to your nearest T.K.Maxx XX

Excuse the snapshot of my bra just an example of my listed T.K.Maxx venture 

#1 choc-chip cookies

So first up on baking week is good old choc chip cookie( inspiration from Comic Relief bake off I urge you to I-player it) these are so yummy and gooey inside... beautiful. I did get a little over excited and bought a new cookie cutter then didn't need it ... awkward but I included it in the photo anyway cos I'm bad ass

Ingredients 125g unsalted butter 100g LIGHT muscovado sugar 50g caster sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 egg 150g plain flour 150g of your chosen 'filling' I used Choc chips but fudge pieces are also a favourite Ready to bake? 1.Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees. Put the butter , sugars and vanilla into a large mixing bowl and combine. Make sure everything is scraped in.

2. Add your egg to the butter mixture and carefully combine (you don't want it to split) Then in goes your flour and baking powder and stir until fully combined. 3.Tip your 'filling' and stir that in too . 4. Divide the mixture into little balls( you should get about 12 medium sized balls) and drop onto two lined baking trays. LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM THEY WILL SPREAD IN THE OVEN 5.Pop them in the oven and bake for 10-15 .

Huge Thank you and a bit of housekeeping from me !

So You may or may not have noticed but my blog has had a lovely make over and as you can tell I am so pleased with it. I just wanted to take this time to say a really big Thank you to Faye at http://girldoesgeek.com/ she listened to everything I asked for and was excellent at getting back to me. I really do appreciate it. ** Also on the note of Thank you's I'd love to say thank you to those who follow this and check it out It's something that is great fun for me and I hope you enjoy it . Finally I have been a touch out of tune with the baking side of this blog recently so I have decided you know what next week will be BAKING WEEK !!! So keep your peepers open for recipes and my escapades in the kitchen ... enjoy !!!

** This is in no way a sponsored post it is simply me saying thank you !!

Clinique M lotion

So tonight I decided to do a post for any gent's who suffer from dry skin or just want a hydration pick me up! And the product in question is ...
 "Clinique Skin supplies for men M lotion"(priced at £22.00 for 100ml) 

I bought this for my boyfriends birthday because to be frank I was sick of him using mine all the time and although it seems a bit pricey he's had it since August and it's still going so take that how you like?
I can't really give a verdict on it because I don't use it but I can tell you that It won a MEN'S HEALTH grooming award in 2010 for best Moisturiser so you know can't be bad ; )

So what's the boy's verdict? 
Nourishing and doesn't aggravate spots or broken skin making it perfect for after shaving , it's also very refreshing and lightweight without leaving an oily residue.  I really like that it is 100% fragrance free so it doesn't have the heavy 'male' scent some creams and after shaves hold. Don't need a lot of product.  ( He also noted that he probably would't spend £22 on it himself but that's you for him he doesn't understand why I spend some much )

Hope you enjoy mr. Hershey in the background he's a common site on here 

First thoughts on my Birchbox :)

So I started with Glossybox then went to Jolie box because well I felt Glossybox was somewhat lacking and although I loved Jolie Box at first I gave it up feeling that it just was a bit blagh- there seemed to be a lot of repeat products and stuff that just weren't luxury enough. However I was excited to hear that Birchbox had bought out jolie box and thought uno i'll give it a try because I like the idea and It's nice to get that pleasant suprise once a month (that may sound bit odd... take it how you like )

Well for a start the packaging has all changed it's now bright pink and I think they may have changed courier because it came incredibly fast (hence two posts today I was not expecting this ). It does however still come with a handy little bag and interesting magazine which I love reading ...
So for the actuall products :)

L-R Tea pigs Super fruit , Wei White Lotus rich eye blend, KMS California Free shape Quick blow dry , Reverence de Bastien unguent for nail and cuticles and Fresh Sugar rose lip treatment


So what do i think? Am I impressed?   

 Well you know what I am pleased with my box I'm not ecstatic but I will be sticking with Birchbox for a little longer. The Best bits for me would be the Fresh lip balm which leaves a ncie colour and is something i've wanted for sometime , I am also excited by teh Tea pigs cos well I LOVE LOVE LOVE tea thats love btw. Wei is a brand I always want to buy (blame Space NK samples ) but can never bring my self round to buying. The only thing i'm not fussed about is the nail and cuticle treatment ... It's just not for me I suffer from anxiety attacks and pick my fingers and nails constantly so any hand products don't really appeal but you know this might stop that :)
Here's hoping next month's will be just as interesting ...

#1 Weekly beauty bits

Sorry this post is a day or two late but I have been in bed ill for few days and I am still feeling a bit rubbish so using this opportuinity to blog and do some dissertation work. I thought an interesting post would be about my weekly beauty bits - this is my way of getting out of a rut and using different products rather than sticking to the same bits and bobs.  I tend to change whats in my MUJI drawers(make up) and my wicker baskets ( hair ,skincare and bath bits)

 Wicker picnic basket : (I have no idea where this is from my Dad got wine in it for Christmas and I snapped it up) 
As you can tell with haircare I like the same brands which at the mo are : Bumble and Bumble , Bed head and Toni and Guy . ( I may do a haircare history soon)

2nd wicker basket (again no idea where it is from)

 I was going to a detailed skincare/bath & body bits but hey there's probs a bit too much in there :P but as you can probably see theres a few familer brands such as emma hardie(note do not keep next to heater), origins,khiels,nude and bioderma.

So now for the interesting part :) BEAUTY PICKS ... I store my weekly picks in the 'infamous' Muji drawers which can be found here http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?Sec=9&Sub=39&PID=5589 (just a little sidenote but the delivery is excellent especially with them been fragile objects)
This weeks choices are as follows :

• Mac Shainghai spice and syrup Michael Korres lip butter pomegranate 
• Kevyn Aucoin - the sculpting powder
• Benefit Highbeam 
• Soleil Tan de Chanel - terre ambre 
• YSL Touche eclat and Collection 2000 conceler
• YSL macara volume effect faux cils 
• Range of pencils inc Rimmel Scandeleyes nude,bobbi brown brow pencil in ash 
• Blushers - Nars deep throat and Revlon cream blush (can't remember the name)
• Benefit you rebel tinted moisturizer and Bourjois(sp?) healthy mix 52 
• Illamasqua loose powder  

There we have it my weekly picks have a lovely weekend :) see ya soon

Manchester 'Haul'

Oh I am been good today and posting twice in one day. On Thursday/Friday me and boyfriend went over to Manchester which is a place which holds a place in my heart as most my family are from that side of the UK. However this visit was a bit odd as it was the first time I'd been back since my Grandad's funeral so was certainly different. Heartfelt stories out of the way I thought I'd do a little haul of my time in Manchester . I also went to manchester to see a man about camp Canada and I can let you all know that as of June the 20th I will be working in Canada for two months ... I am so excited especially as I am also seeing Bruce Springsteen again on the 18th June. :)  

I did buy a fair bit in Manchester some of which wont be at all interesting to every one so instead I've decided to show my 'best bits' .

Loose peplum flower top - Miss Selfridge £27 and Topshop leather effect shorts £30.00

L-R Khiels midnight recovery concentrate , Nars albatross, Caudalie beauty elixir ,  and Georgio Armani lip maestro in shade 201

Beauty bits :

So firstly I hopped along to Selfridges with the idea of picking up a YSL lipstick however the women was so rude that I ventured over to the Armani stand instead and this bad boy caught my eye. The colour is so unlike me and I thought it was going to be a more gloss effect but oh how I was wrong it's a beautiful matte stain with long lasting effects my only gripe is that it has a shade number rather than a name. I Then went to space NK and picked up  the Khiels concentrate which I've been wanting to try for ages , Caudalie beauty elixir - do I really need to say why? and Nars albatross which is a finely milled highlighter with yellow undertones . 

Fudgey flapjacks

So this is a simple recipe but it's very tasty and good for a quick pick me up or on the go snack. It also gave me a great chance to use up the masses of oats I seem to have aquired ... I do love porridge :) It may not be the healthiest recipe due to the ammount of sugar involved but hey everyone needs a scrummy snack 

Ingredients:                                                                                                

175g Butter 

175g golden syrup 

175g LIGHT muscovado sugar 

350g Porridge oats 

200g fudge pieces

The how to's :  

• Preheat the oven to 150 degrees, weigh out your ingredients and grease line a 20cm tin 
• Melt the butter over a low heat, add the sugar and syrup . Melt until the sugar has dissolved and combined. Remove from the heat and stir in your porridge and fudge pieces. 
• Pack the flapjack mixture into the tin. bake for 30 minutes - longer if you don't want very chewy flapjacks. 
• Once cooked allow to cool and chop them into small bitesize pieces. 

Hey presto simples :)  Oh the tin is a Emma Bridgewater union jack tin from John Lewis but you can buy them directly off the Bridgewater website http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/tin/storage-tins/icat/storagetins/

The 'hangover what hangover' face

So earlier I was watching the lisa Eldridge Quick brightening make-up video (http://www.youtube.com/user/lisaeldridgedotcom) when an idea came into mind... 'The hangover face'   As a student this is a look that often comes in to play may it be after a heavy night out, an all nighter in the library or just a simple lack of sleep .  It's super healthy and just looks natural and flawless it's quite a simple routine one particular tip Lisa mentions is to dab a bright lip colour then a nude over the top so for me I chose MAC sheen supreme in the shade new temptation which is a beautiful red with pink undertones and popped Mac cream sheen Shanghai spice over the top. I absolutely bum this colour its like my lips but a touch darker and more orange toned. So there you have it no one will ever know the effects your feeling.
I'd love to hear anyone else's top tips on beating the effects of  lack of sleep

 Products used: 

• Dr.Jart + water fuse BB cream 
• Revlon grow luscious mascara 
• Topshop cream blush in head over heels 
• Bobbi brown creamy corrector in warm ivory
• YSL touch Eclat
• mememe beat the blues in sunbeam
• Bobbi brown brow pencil in ash
• Rimmel scandaleyes - nude 
• Mac sheen supreme in New temptation
• Mac cream sheen in Shanghai spice

Catching those precious 'ZZZZ's

Sleep is possibly one of the most important things a person needs , it benefits us in so many way so why are there so many people struggling to get some shut eye? It is estimated that on average one in three people struggle with insomnia at some point in their life. Unfortunately I have this problem always have since I was teeny tiny but there are a few bits that do help now and again :) Candles: I LOVE !!! candles and always have them burning however there are a few that really help me feel relaxed and calm...

The candle from the right is from T.K Maxx and the scent is vanilla and lavender. I think it's just the cutest thing and on the side it says follow your heart which is a nice thought to bear in mind whilst drifting off to the land of nod. The ones in the below picture are a selection of some more of my bedtime candles and they include a Gardenia bloom Yankee candle which isn't too strong. so well done to my daddio for that choice he also bought me a cute gingerbread one which I near;ly bought before christmas ( he knows me well) . I then have the little one from space Nk life which was in a bed time bath and body set :)

Whitards dream tea This stuff has been in my cupboard for months but i've just started drinking it more and blimey it's yummy - a mixture of honey,brown sugar and apricot . I mix it with half hot water half cold n bam your ready. i don't know if it actually helps but it's nice to think it does 'beauty' bits I've mentioned the space Nk set which smells of Vanilla, jasmine,violet and lilly which really feels luxurious and relaxing. I will defiantly be purchasing the larger sizes . I also spritz the this works pillow spray all over and inhale(attractive image) now I don't like lavender but this is discrete enough that I can get along with it ...However James doesn't like it ... awkward turtle.

well hope this has been enjoyable and you have maybe benefited. Sorry there wasn't a baking post this week I was at work all sunday then drove back to uni on the night so was pooped (that also helps me sleep haha) but there will be one on sunday for sure :) oh and next week I will doing a post for the boys so keep an eye open

my 'ULTIMATE' cleanser

* drum roll please* This has been a much hyped product for oh well over a year now but I was perfectly happy with my Liz Earle Cleanse and polish so didn't really see a need for a new cleanser. However I felt the time had come for me to be unfaithful to the trusty Liz Earle.  I wanted to start with the starter kit because what works for sheila down the road might not work for me especially where skincare is concerned.  I got the starter kit from feel unique and good news is it's still available.  http://www.feelunique.com/p/Emma-Hardie-Amazing-Face-Natural-Lift-and-Sculpt-Anti-Ageing-Professional-Facial-Starter-Kit

Professional facial starter kit includes:  Cleansing balm , cleansing cloth, Rosehip exfoliating seeds,  Hydrating and firming treatment moisturiser and  Firming eye serum .  

I'm really enjoying using the professional kit so much so that I had a cheeky space NK order on Monday and purchased the 100ml version of the Cleansing balm.   Or to call it by it's full name the Emma Hardie Amazing face natural lift and sculpt Moringa cleansing balm - bit of a mouthful lets be honest .

Enough blabbing on... I can't rave enough about this cleanser it really does clear my skin and leaves it feeling soft and supple. You mix some of the balm with a touch of water on clean your skin then wipe of with the cloth provided(you could use a flannel or muslin cloth.) If you fancy a real cleanse and your skin feels awfully congested mix the balm with the exfoliating seeds ... this feels like such a treat :)  The smell is fresh and organic and well the packaging is a little bit swanky too (it must be good if my boyfriend said it looked nice ) . This is something i'll defiantly be repurchasing I'm trying to justify the eye serum too 

Enjoy the rest of your week...

x

Bridgey's red Velvet Cupcakes

I love these cupcakes the colour is just amazing . Today I tried a new butter cream for a change of scenery. I used cocoa and chambord which actually worked really really well together :)  Chambord is one of those things I use for cooking all the time but never actually drink . 

Ingredients :

100g S-R Flour 

15g cocoa powder

1/4 tsp baking powder

115g Softened butter 

115g Caster sugar 

2 eggs

2 tbsp of red colouring  

1 tsp vanilla extract 

For the icing :

250g icing sugar

80g softened butter

2 tbsp of milk 

2 tbsp Chambord 

1 tbsp cocoa powder 

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (350F/gas mark 4) and line a muffin tin with cases . 

2. Soften the butter and cream with the sugar . Then stir in the flour ,eggs and baking powder . In another bowl mix the cocoa , red colouring and vanilla to make a paste then add this to your buttery flourey mix . 

3.Once everything is well combined . Place a tablespoon of mix into your cases and bake for 15 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. 

4. Whilst the cakes are cooling  get your butter cream ready . Mix the softened butter with the icing sugar until combined. Add the chambord and cocoa and mix until thick - but not to thick that you can't pipe it . 

5. When the cakes are FULLY cool pipe, I decorated with a bit of pink glitter for a bit of well sparkle. 

ENJOY !!!! :)

Just a little side note I picked up this snazzy carrier in Tescos yesterday ... you get the muffin tin and a lid that clips on for easy carrying . I just thought that was a very good invention.  I can't find this one online but Amazon do a very very similar one if not a little more pricey 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweetly-Does-It-12-Holes-Non-stick/dp/B005X6QPYG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357513780&sr=8-3

Week 1 #Budget Buys

N SPA - Jojoba and White Vanilla  warming salt scrub 

So I picked this up on a whim because I got to boots and realized I forgot my bank card so I hit ASDA with the money I had in my purse ( I don't tend to carry cash). I do love a good scrub and this hits the spot. It's a very very thick salt scrub which warms when rubbed onto the body. This feels lovely and really does leave the skin feeling smooth and soft. At £2 you can't really complain but my one and only issue would be that the product is a bit too thick to squeeze out so perhaps a tub would be better . All in all though a great product.

I'm thinking of doing a weekly budget buy post because not everything needs a hefty price tag. 

Shopping the Sales ...

So usually I race out to the sales with great excitement - however this year it was more a case of not really wanting anything in particular ( Thanks to my lovely family ) mixed with not really wanting to fight for the same item with 10 other people. I kind of went in with the mentality that if I didn't want it before i'm not going to want it on sale ( i'm trying to be more sensible with the £££'s ) . However I did snap up few bits and bobs and thought I'd do a post on what I picked up.  

Clothes:  

Now I'm not the biggest Jack Wills fan for various reasons but I do like their Hoodies and infamous Gillets. I'd been wanting a thicker hoodie which would be a lighter alternative to a heavy winter coat. I saw this an mainly bought it for the lining which is so soft and warm ...essential when you live up North. (was £89.50 now £59.00) 
Urban Outfitters sale was somewhat of a success I really love this vest T-shirt especially the Elephant's and the skirts just very pretty and can be dressed up or down.(both the top and skirt were £15 each with 50% off) Finally my boyfriend spotted this bag in John Lewis which is there own brand but it is so well made and is so classic... I LOVE it !!! (was £40 now £19.50)





Beauty : 

I didn't really pick up many beauty bits in the sales but I did get the Emma Hardie Face starter kit in the Feel unique sale. This was reduced down to £22 but is now £25 ( still a reduction) I've been wanting try this for ages but didn't want to go straight  to the full size in case I didn't work on my skin ... So review to follow.  I also picked up the This works Dream team mini set in boots without actually knowing it was on sale .  I've had trouble sleeping ever since I was yee high and this actually really has helped so there will be a full size purchase come payday :) 

... And the 'special' purchase:

Sadly my Grandad passed away on boxing day but before he died he gave all us Grandchildren some money. Although most of it's gone into saving's I thought that he'd be happy with me buying a new camera as he was really into his photography. 
My Boyfriend was already going to Curry's so with that we walked up and down deciding which would be best.
I decided on a Panasonic bridge camera in the hope that it would be a bit more portable than a full SLR camera . I really do love it and it's a great reminder. 




Bit of a long post but I do hope you enjoyed it ... enjoy the rest of your week :)