60s fashion

The 60s has always seemed like such an exciting decade - the war was becoming a memory, the Beatles were taking over the world... and of course, the fashion.

A quick browse on the high street reflects the 60s trend in a big way at the moment.  Shift dresses, block colours, monochrome and chintzy prints are ideal.  I would wear the trend by donning a shift dress, coloured tights, mary janes and statement rings.

Beauty wise, my new bob suits this trend very well, and makeup wise it has to be long lashes courtesy of lengthening mascara, pink blusher, and pink matte lips.

White Chocca Mocha

I made this yummy drink last night. Under the cream and chocolate sprinkles is fresh coffee mixed with hot milk and melted white chocolate... decadent!

Throw some light on the subject

 This is one of two lamps we bought for our bedroom in HomeSense, one of my favourite home shops.  It is really nice to have matching lamps in there, and they'll get a lot of use.  I love reading in bed before sleep, so a lamp is a must for me.  I think the glass design is really classic and timeless and the lampshade colour is such that whatever colour we decide to decorate in future, they will always complement eachother.

Flapper dress

I just had to share my lovely flapper dress with you, which I'm wearing to my birthday party next week.  I got it in the Topshop January sale, so it was a real bargain too!

I am so excited about the 20s fashion revival.  I love so much about that era - the fashion, makeup, cars - and I devour books and TV shows based during the time.  Thanks to the Downton effect and the upcoming film 'The Great Gatsby' (beyond excited!), this is a really good time to get involved in the trend.

With this dress I am planning to wear very high heels, a feather hairslide, and bright lipstick!

Brownies

I love chocolate brownies and here is my homemade batch! They took ages to cook but they were really tasty, even if I do say so myself!

As you have probably gathered, I enjoy baking and one of my goals this year was to do more of it. I am trying to get over my negative thought pattern of thinking I'm no good at it - no, I'm not going to be on 'Great British Bake Off', but I do enjoy making cakes and they taste alright, so I'm doing something right! Ingredient lists also frighten me; I imagine hours of fruitless searching in the supermarket!

I've found lots of choccie recipes I want to try and a marble cake is next on my list...

Cupcakes!

Last night I went on a cupcake course courtesy of Sarah at 'Cakes in the City'. The theme was Valentine's and here are my creations - don't they look pretty? Having eaten one since taking the pics, I can confirm that the buttercream is the best bit!

Nails Nails Nails

This look was created by using a pale OPI polish as the base, and then I experimented with 17 nail stickers. 17 the brand, not 17 the number!

I found the stickers were too thick, although they were easily cut into shape. I was glad I had used a pale colour under the stickers - I think they would have looked worse with a dark red or any deep shade, the stickers would have looked too obvious.

The stickers lasted a few days, and they were easily pulled off, leaving a sticky glue on my nails but without harming the varnish.

All in all I wouldn't use the stickers again - the thickness and how obvious they looked on my nails would put me off.  Next time I'll try nail tattoos for a cute pattern that is more subtle.