Chocolate Bird Nest Cake

Today I'm going to be showing you an extremely easy to make chocolate cake recipe with a twist. This Chocolate Bird Nest Cake would be great for Easter or any time you wish if you're like me and would quite happily eat mini eggs all day, everyday.

Ingredients

For The Cake

• 225 g Butter or Margarine 
• 225 g Caster Sugar
• 4 Medium Eggs
• 175 g Self-Raising Flour
• 50 g Cocoa Powder

For The Icing

• 75 g Unsalted butter
• 175 g Icing Sugar
• 45 g Cocoa Powder
• about 10 ml Milk or warm water

Nest

• 150 g Milk Chocolate
• handful cornflakes
• packet of mini eggs

Recipe

1. Pre-heat oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line two sandwich tins.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs.
3. Fold in the remaining flour and the cocoa powder with a metal spoon.
4. Divide the mixture between the two tins and bake for approximately 25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and leave to cool before turning out on a cooling rack.  
5. To make the butter icing, place the butter in a bowl and beat until soft. Gradually sift and beat in the icing sugar and then add enough milk/water to make the icing fluffy and spreadable. Sift and beat the cocoa powder in to the icing sugar and use it to sandwich the two sponges together.
6. Break the chocolate into little pieces and place in a bowl with a little knob of butter. put the bowl over a pan with boiling water and wait for the chocolate to melt.
7. Once the chocolate has melted, you may need to add a splash of milk to make the consistency runnier. Add the cornflakes to the bowl and stir. 
8. Place the mixture on top of the cake and add some mini eggs to decorate.

I hope you try this recipe out for yourself because it's seriously delicious. If you have any other requests for food related posts or any posts at all, please feel free to let us know in the comments.

Thanks,

alittlebeautyblog.

Winter Fashion Trends/Updating your Winter Wardrobe 2015

Now that the months have gotten colder and the weather has gotten worse, we thought it would be a good idea to show you ways of updating your wardrobe for the Winter Season. Including bags, boots, jeans, jackets and accessories. We hope you enjoy!

Bags pull together everyoutfit. Black leather bags have been really popular in 2015. Whether it's a an over the shoulder bag or a clutch for a Winter's night out. Here are a selection of our favourite bags from Winter 2015.

 Newlook : *No Longer Available*

Topshop : £40

It's time to put away the Converse and summer shoes, and get into something more 'weather appropriate', and Chelsea boots are the way forward. I would tend to stick to something like Ugg Boots, as I thought they were the most comfortable shoes for the colder months, until I bought some Chelsea boots. They are extremely comfortable and keep your feet warm when walking in the snow. They are fashionable yet comfortable and go with any outfit, from your favourite pair of black skinny jeans, to a floaty skirt with some cosy tights.

Topshop : £45

 Topshop : £30 (In sale)

Warm jackets are definitely a staple piece for the winter. I always find it a struggle searching for my winter coat. Denim Jackets are a great transitional coat, whether it's from Autumn to Winter, or Spring to Summer. This one with a fleecy lining is warm, yet casual. If you are not really a denim 
wearer you could always opt for something abit more classy like a duffle/boyfriend coat. These can 
go with any outfit and look great with a patterned scarf.

Topshop : £58 

 H&M : £?

Black jeans are the way forward in the winter months. You can dress them up or down. By adding your favourite baggy top you can create a comfy/casual look. But you can also create a classic "going out" outfit, by adding your favourite heeled boots and a dressy top. They are just so versatile.

   Topshop - £38

Obviously scarfs are a must in the winter. The can keep you cosy, but are also a fashion favourite. They come in so many different colours and patterns. Take a patterned one to dress up any plain outfit. The can be worn in so many ways. You could even use one as a shawl to add a little something to your outfit.

 Local Shop - *Gifted*

Links:

NewLook Website : http://www.newlook.com

Topshop Website : http://www.topshop.com/?geoip=home

Dupes:

Similar NewLook Bag : http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/bags-and-purses/black-leather-fold-over-across-body-bag-_327853901

Similar Tartan Scarf : http://www.asos.com/river-island/river-island-blurred-tartan-oversized-blanket-scarf/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4656175&clr=Lilac&SearchQuery=Scarves&pgesize=4&pge=1&totalstyles=4&gridsize=4&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=2

P.S.

This post is a little bit different for us, a little bit "out of out comfort zone" you might say. We tend to just stick to taking pictures from the comfort of our own bedrooms, but this week we decided to venture into the outdoors, to take some 'artsy' photos. Do leave a comment to tell us if you like the more creative photos, or if you prefer the usual photos taken indoors!☺

Thanks,

alittlebeautyblog.

Lacking Fitness Motivation?

                                  

                                         

                                  

Are you lacking motivation to start exercising again after Christmas - yeah, me too! It's a known fact that us humans can't help ourselves when it comes to  overindulging throughout the festive season, which is fine until your jeans start to feel a bit tight and then you realise you should probably get your but into gear.  With these simple steps I've started working out more than ever before and to be honest I'm secretly loving it.

Step 1 - Create a plan. Start out by making a plan either mentally or on paper about when your going to workout and how many times a week your going to do it. Choose times that suit you best so if you don't have time to workout in the morning then do it in the evening or visa versa. Also, set yourself goals that you know you'll be able to achieve, don't try to do to much or push your self to hard to start with because that's one of the biggest reasons people give up.

Step 2 - What kind of exercise will you do?  Think about what kind of exercise you like doing whether it be running or yoga etc. Also think about where you want to do your exercise, for example do you like going to the gym and being around others when you work out or do you like being in the comfort of your own home - the choice is yours.

Step 3 - Workout gear. Having some cute workout gear really helps to motivate me to exercise because it looks nice and I want to wear it, but if I'm just wearing it to sit around and do nothing then it makes me feel bad. Most of my workout clothes are from Nike but Lululemon also do some gorgeous stuff and if you want something that isn't expensive then take a look in Primark because they have some really great stuff too.

Step 5 - Instagram is your new best friend. Whenever I can't be bothered or I'm just having and off day I always make sure to take a look at my Instagram because there are some seriously fit people on there with extremely toned bodies. Working out always seems like a good idea after seeing how in shape these people are.

Some of my favourite fitness channels over on YouTube are PopSugarFitness, Blogilates and YogaWithAdreinne.

Thanks,
alittlebeautyblog.

Soap and Glory 'The Soapremes' Gift Set - alittlebeautyblog

Soap and Glory's Christmas Collection never fails to please me.

As a girl who loves pamper products, this set just had to be added to my Christmas Wishlist.

It is a perfect gift for any beauty lovers out there, or just something nice to treat your self to. 

With a shower gel, body scrub, body butter, hand cream, foot cream, loofa and some pink cosy socks, your practically set for your cosh night in. If you are interested in purchasing this product there will be links at the bottom of this post!

1. Shower Gel - Clean On Me

This creamy shower gel, with a fruity scent leaves your skin feeling awake and hydrated. This is definitely a morning shower gel, as it refreshes your skin, leaving it ready for the day ahead. 

- Don't forget to use your loofa!

2. Body Scrub - The Scrub Of Your Life

After cleansing your body, you want to prep it for moisturiser.  By using a body scrub you will get rid of any dry, flakey skin. Focus the scrub on your elbows and knees, as these are the places that are  most affected by the colder weather. Try not to use a scrub on a daily basis, as this can damage your  delicate skin.

3. Body Butter - The Righteous Butter

After jumping out the shower or bath, you want to slather your self in a body moisturiser to protect your skin from the colder months. This body butter has a thick formula which keeps skin soft and hydrated. This is a perfect product to use before bed, as when your are asleep your skin will absorb the moisture, so when you wake us your skin will feel refreshed and lively.

4. Foot Cream - Heel Genius

Feet are the most neglected part of the body. But they need to be looked after! It may sound wierd to talk about but it needs to be done. Heels can get dry and craked very easily, so make sure you try to moisturise your feet as often as you can, to prevent flaky, dry skin.

5. Cosy Socks - Pink of Course

This set comes with a pair of fluffy pink socks (what more could you ask for!)

Put these on after applying foot cream to keep your feet soft and warm at the same time.

6. Hand Cream - Hand Food

Hands are the most exposed part of the body to wind and snow, so it is always a good idea to bring gloves and hand cream with you at all times. Always apply hand cream after washing your hands, or being out in the cold. Try to wear gloves when out in cold whether because obvisiously wind is a major part in the dryness of skin. So always keep your hands covered and moisturised. 

Link To Soap And Glory At Boots :

http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory%C2%99-THE-SOAPREMES%C2%99-Gift-Set_1505730/

(also Boots are having a half price Soap+Glory sale!)

Thanks,

alittlebeautyblog.