Monday Bakes // Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Last night, I baked some cupcakes and now I have decided to ice them.

The cupcakes themselves were delicious, and probably don't need icing as they are really good by themselves! It's a pretty standard recipe with the addition of pumpkin and spices.

To start decorating, I made an icing with cream cheese and sugar. Tinted orange with some colouring.

Then I added caramel sauce (I used store bought as my caramel never works out!)

Finally I sprinkled on top some chopped pecans.

These came out absolutely delicious and are my favourite cupcakes I've made in a while. I had these gold cases that I cooked them in, and I love the colours and textures. I halved the recipe and made 6 and will be making at another date.

You can find the recipe I used here

Easter Weekend 2017

For Easter this year, we have come up to Napier to spend it here.

We headed to the farmers market on Sunday morning, to browse the local produce. Last time we came I picked up a delicious relish that I ran out of now, so I now have more! It was super busy though we were lucky as it was such a nice day.

Along the waterfront in town, was a display of old cars. We stopped by to check them out and wondered why cars don't look like this today.

On Sunday afternoon we visited Cape Kidnappers. I had never been before, this time we did not go as far as the end but I would like to next time.

On the way home we were stuck in a lot of traffic, however did get to watch the sun set and red sky.

Colourpop Collection

Last week I placed an order on the Colourpop website, when it arrived I thought I'd share what I got.

This time I just got a few things, as I saw their new range for Spring (although Autumn where I am) and the colours looked so lovely.

Here's what I picked up:

I have got a few other things from Colourpop - I love their stuff! I thought I'd share my collection and my current loves.

My favourite product from Colourpop is their LippieStix which are just the best. They are all so creamy and pigmented, the Matte X formula is so good at not drying at all.

Shades from top to bottom: LBB, Lady, Taurus, Pillow Talk, Dukes, Goldie, Ziggie

I really only wear dark and brown lipsticks...

The eyeshadows are also very pretty too, especially the more shimmery/glittery shades.

Shades from left to right: Kathleenlights, Weenie, Bubbly, Lovely, I♡This

I also have some of their liquid matte and liquid satin finish lipsticks, which I quite like as well. Beeper and Tiny Chum from the Hello Kitty range are the best.

Here's the look I did today - I used a new colour 'Likely' which is a Satin liquid lip - I'm really loving it!

♡

9 April 2017 - Coffee and sun

Autumn is here which means the evenings get darker quickly and it becomes more cold.
Luckily for now we still get some sunny days.

Today we tried to make the most of it and talk a short walk by the sea.

There's a place in town I have wanted to go to for a while, for high tea. Today we popped in for afternoon tea and I grabbed a coffee and a plum tart. It was so gorgeous and was served on lovely vintage cups and plates.
I love finding places like this, which are a bit have a bit more of a unique and themed style. It really was very cute and delicious too.

Terrarium🍃

A while back I picked up a terrarium and have been meaning to fill it ever since. Today was the day!

I picked up a couple of cacti that I thought would look good together. (I'll take any chance to buy new plants ~)

Then from here it was really easy.
I took stones, dirt and moss and played with the layout until I was happy.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. The larger cactus looks to me like a mountain and gives the piece a lot of dimension. I added moss from the garden to cover the dirt and give more texture and colour. The last step was to position a piece of air plant that adds a touch of fantasy.

I have homed it on these shelves in amongst plants and other pieces. It's like a whole hidden world hidden in my spare room.