Cranberry and White Chocolate Cupcakes

Anyone who knows me well will know that I love a good baking session, so I was more than excited when I learnt we were going to have a cake sale at work.  Of course I got to work trying to research the most delicious recipe, when I spotted cranberries for sale in a supermarket and came up with the idea of cranberry and white chocolate cupcakes.  They were very yummy, even if I do say so myself, so here I am to give you the recipe.

175g unsalted butter

175g self-raising flour

175g caster sugar

Baking powder

3 large eggs

Vanilla extract

Fresh cranberries

White chocolate

I am a bit lazy when it comes to baking and don't tend to weigh out all of the ingredients.  I weigh out the important stuff like flour, sugar and butter, but when it comes to the other bits and bobs such as vanilla extract and all the other flavourings, I tend to add in whatever I feel like.

Step One

Mix softened butter and sugar together

Step Two

Add in all 3 eggs and flour and beat well.

Step Three

Mix in a dash of baking powder and roughly half a teaspoon of vanilla extract. 

Step Four

Add chopped fresh cranberries and chunks of white chocolate.  I used roughly 80g of a bar of chocolate and cut it into large chunks.

Step Five

Divide mixture evenly between 15 muffin cases.  Bake at 180°C in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cakes are well risen and firm on top.  (Check on them! As my cakes may have a slightly burnt look!)

Step Six

When the cakes were cool I added bits of white chocolate.  Or you could add icing if you prefer.

Very easy to make and very yummy too!  What is your favourite type of cake?

Goodbye :(

Sadly, I no longer use this blog.

But if you want to check out my latest adventures then head on over to...

www.the-adventures-of-maria.blogspot.co.uk 

... to join in with my latest adventures :) :)

Oh Hello There

What are Sundays for if they aren't for blogging?!  How I love Sundays!

I used to have a blog, but what with finishing university, moving house, and starting a new job with all sorts of funny hours as well as making new friends, I had little time and blogging just faded out of my life.  However I missed it and I am back!!

I didn't really know what to call this blog as it is going to be about anything in my life from clothes and make-up to music and food.  I like adventures, a lot.  So that is how I came up with the name.

I thought I would start this little blogging journey off with one of my favourite things, make that two of my favourite things.  Lush and spending money.  Yes, a Lush haul!!

1. So White shower gel
     2. Eau Roma Water Toner
     3. Fresh Farmacy Cleanser

So White Shower Gel

You can really smell the appley goodness in this shower gel, it makes my skin smell great and fills the bathroom up with it's lovely scent, but it is not too overpowering. After use, my skin feels so soft, smooth and fresh.  Would definitely buy this again!

Eau Roma Water Toner

I was looking for a product that isn't too harsh and something that does not dry out my sensitive skin and this seems to do the trick!  I have been putting this on morning and night after using my cleanser and before applying moisturiser.  My skin feels refreshed after use and it isn't too harsh.

Fresh Farmacy Cleanser

This is my second purchase of this product,  Lush advises that this product can be used on the body and face, but I have only been using it on my face.  I feel that this soap does not lather too easily but that can be forgiven as it cleanses my face so well.  It's not too harsh on my skin but certainly does the job and leaves my face feeling clean and fresh.  I use this in the morning as the first product I put on my face, and in the evening after removing my make up.  This soap seems to keep any oily skin at bay, and my skin tends to be clearer in general.

As well as the above three products, I also treated myself to the Snowman Shower Jelly.  I have yet to use this, but I opened the pot to have a sneaky sniff and it smells so good!  I cannot wait to use it.

I love Lush, easily one of my favourite stores, and I wish I was able to buy all of their new Christmas products!!

Best Night Ever

For as long as I can remember I have loved the band Avenged Sevenfold.  So when tickets went on sale 7 months ago I could not wait to get my hands on some.  As soon as I bought those tickets I was so excited.... and the excitement lasted from May all the way until 1st December, when I saw my favourite band.

On Sunday 1st December I was unbelievably excited when I made my way to Wembley Arena.  I was going to see Avenged Sevenfold, my favourite band!  The atmosphere in the arena was great, and everyone was so pumped for seeing the band.

First up was Five Finger Death Punch who I had seen at Download Festival back in June.  Five Finger Death Punch are awesome live and they certainly got the crowd going by putting on a good show.

Then, next up, was the great Avenged Sevenfold.  It was surreal, I could not believe I was finally seeing this band.  They put on a brilliant show, playing a mixture of new and old songs, with added fire.

So I can now say I have seen my favourite band live.  I cannot express how good it was.  The best night ever!!

Graduation!

That's it, I have graduated.  I am officially no longer a student.  Last Wednesday I headed down to the cathedral for the graduation ceremony with my family feeling excited and slightly nervous.  It was strange seeing everyone from my course again, but this time in gowns and hats... which I loved wearing and did not want to take off.  It was a nice day, although a shame about the weather as it started off freezing, then heavily rained, snowed, hailed, the sun came out for a second, then it heavily rained again.  Alas, I did not get any nice photos outside the cathedral which was annoying, but it was a good day nonetheless.

Had just picked up the gown and hat.

Outside the cathedral.

Collecting my certificate.

A much needed glass of wine afterwards!

It was a good day!

Last Few Weeks + October Empties

I cannot believe we are this far into November already.  I have been incredibly busy in the last few weeks.  Working, spending time with friends, working, trying to squeeze in time with family, working and trying to find time to relax.  So here is a sum up of the last few weeks in pictures.

1. Newly dyed and cut hair. 2. Fog in the hills. 3. Wore my boots out. 4. Trying on ridiculous things for Halloween. 

5. Make-up-less face. 6. Got a nose piercing! 7. Lots of Barocca was greatly needed. 8. Almost killed the microwave.

9. Made strawberry and white chocolate cupcakes. 10. Getting my boobs out? Dressed as a zombie Doctor. 11+12. 5th November. Fireworks!

You can find me on Instagram @megamegalolz

October Empties

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil
Oil?  On your face?!  Exactly what I thought too.  Surely it will make my face greasy and cause my skin to break out?  However it caused quite the opposite effect.  I used this product before applying make-up in the morning and my face did not become oily or greasy, and I am sure my skin was clearer whist using this product.  This product left my skin feeling lovely and soft.  I only had a tester and it lasted for ages.  So even though the full size bottle is £30 I think it is well worth it given the effect it had, and how long it lasts.

It's Potent Eye Cream, Benefit
Benefit claims that this moisturising cream fades dark circles and helps to smooth fine lines.  Did it fade dark circles from my tired eyes?  I am not sure, quite possibly.  It did, however have a very good moisturising effect.  This product is a thick cream with a freshening effect that lasts a long time.  I use this every day before applying make-up and was amazed at how long it lasted.  I would buy this product again, however before I do, I may try a cheaper moisturiser.

Peaches and Clean, Cleansing Milk, Soap & Glory
This was not the first time I had bought this product.  It is one of my favourite cleansers.  It is gentle on the skin, smells lovely and is a great cleanser.  I use this product at night after removing make-up and washing my face.  It is amazing to see all that extra dirt and make-up coming off my face.  Definitely a must-have for me!

Great Lash Mascara, Maybelline
I have purchased this mascara quite a few times.  It is not too expensive and I really like it as a day-to-day mascara.  Maybelline claims that this product thickens eyelashes without clumps... and it does just that.  Too many times I have bought mascara and it turns out to be clumpy.  I hate that.  So this mascara is a winner for me.

Well that was my first ever empties post.  I am slowly trying out new things on this blog :)

Halloween 2013

I love Halloween, it's one of my favourite times of the year.  I love putting the effort into making an outfit and being creative.  Although I suppose I was not too creative this year as I opted for a zombie costume... A Zombie Doctor that is.

I bought the stethoscope from ebay for £3.00.  I was amazed to find out that it actually works.

Creepy smiley face.

It took forever to get the red blood off my hands... and legs... and stomach... and everywhere else.  But it was a good night out.  I love zombies.

What did you dress up as for Halloween?