22nd Birthday Cake

As promised, here are the pictures of my first attempt at a Kit-Kat cake! 

It was delicious!

Kit-Kat Birthday Cake

It's my birthday on Sunday and for my birthday cake this year I am going to try my hand at making a Kit-Kat cake {See image below}. I will post photos soon of what mine looks like!

Last year I made LOADS of purple cupcakes {my favourite colour}

Hello October

Hello October | Surprise me | Inspire me | Bring only good things <3

Product Review: Bioderma Sensibio H2O & Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion

A little bit about my skin situation

I have normal to oily skin; I had acne in my teenage years and still struggle with breakouts {especially when I eat chocolate or drink fizzy drinks}; I have been on Roaccutane 3 times; I have lost track of how many facials I went for; I have used Benczac peroxide based face products & expensive Babour products.

After my third course of Roaccutane {18-19 years old}, I stopped using the expensive products because my skin was clear {AND because it was about R300, if not more, per product - gasp!}. So I started using Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion and Nutraderm Lotion. Then I asked my mom to buy me some more Cetaphil, and got the one for oily skin by accident. But I found that the Cetaphil Cleanser for oily skin removed my make-up better, so I continued to use this face wash.

After a few years of using it, I find it {Cetaphil for oily skin} isn't gentle enough on my skin. So I wanted to got back to using Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion, BUT then how do I remove my make-up properly. I asked Roxy {a fellow blogger of citygirlsearching - check her awesome blog out for more product reviews} for her advice and she suggested I tried Bioderma Sensibio H2O.

I am happy to say that I have found the perfect skin cleansing combination! I recently purchased Bioderma Sensibio H2O 250ml from Dischem for R149 and Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion 400ml from Dischem for R150.

What do I think of the product?

My observations after using Sensibio H2O on a cotton pad to remove my make-up:

• It removes my make-up {incl. waterproof eyeliner} effortlessly
• My face felt clean and residue free
• My face felt moisturised

You don't need to wash your face after using Sensibio H2O, it is a waterless cleanser. I would be happy to stop here with my skin cleansing regime and just apply a moisturiser. However, I feel weird not using water and a cleanser to wash my face {strange I know}. So after removing my make-up I wash my face with the Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion.

On days when I don't wear make-up, I don't use the Sensibio H2O, I only wash with the Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion.

The final verdict

I will definitely buy this product again.

I hope this review helps you!

XOXO

Product Review: Lee Stafford POKeR STRAiGHT SHiNE SERUM

Lee Stafford's poker straight shine serum promises 

"weightless, non greasy, serum with vitamins E and A... your hair will glow with health and sparkle like diamonds"

A little bit about my hair situation

I have long, normal to thick hair; I get blonde highlights on only the top half of my head every 3 months or so {the rest of my hair is naturally a mousey brown}; I used to straighten my hair {after it had air dried} at least twice a week {I always use tresemme heat protect spray}; my hair is naturally wavy and it looks a little frizzy without a bit of taming.

I decided to start blow-drying my hair instead of straightening it because the straightening just made my hair look flat, and it only looked good for a few hours - I wanted to wash my hair the next day. I find blow-drying my hair looks way nicer, and it stays 'fresh' for a few days without getting manky.

So I did some research to find out which serum I could use to make my blow-dry more *special*. I specifically looked at Lee Stafford products because a few months ago I purchased his "Bleach Blondes Shampoo {purple}" and I was really happy with the quality and price, and I LOVE the way it smells! {it smells expensive}. All of the reviews I read said that they were happy and would re-purchase the product. So I bought this product from Clicks for R95.

What do I think of the product?

My observations after using the product {2 pumps of the serum} on wet hair {just washed} and then blow-drying:

• It is definitely light weight, non sticky & non greasy
• My hair felt like silk
• My hair had a healthy glow/shine to it without looking greasy
• It smells amazing!

I even put another pump {one squeeze/pre-measured by the product dispenser} on the length and tips of my hair after blow-drying it to stray fly-aways.

The final verdict

I will definitely buy this product again. It's going on my "hair-products-must-haves" list!

I hope this review helps you!

XOXO

Fairtrade Infographic

http://www.indigenous.com/public/uploads/blog/transparency-2.jpeg
http://www.indigenous.com/blog/article/infographic-fair-trade#.UW0vmKJmiSp

The Kate Tin's Over The Top (OTT) Chocolate brownie cookies *Fairtrade week*

I came across this recipe on Facebook. They look absolutely indulgent! I myself love to bake, so I will definitely be giving these a try!

When I watched the Youtube video of these cookies being made on the Expresso morning show, there was a discussion about Fairtrade products as it is Fairtrade week (I didn't know there was such an event before). At university, I did a lot of case studies on business ethics and how producing Fairtrade products can enhance your company's reputation. We certainly need to be more aware of and support such organisations. It's small changes like this that will help towards making the world a better place. So choose Fairtrade chocolate, coffee, tea, etc.

Here's is the lovely recipe from http://the-kate-tin.blogspot.com/2013/02/ott-chocolate-brownie-cookies-with.html:

Chocolate brownie cookies with caramelised white chocolateI've used Fairtrade chocolate in honour of Fairtrade week - nothing better than eating chocolate with a clear conscience!
Makes 12
Caramelised white chocolate300g Fairtrade white chocolate, chopped*
1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
200g Fairtrade dark chocolate, chopped
50g Stork Bake
2 eggs
2/3 cup Selati castor sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup Sasko cake flour
¼ tsp baking powder
pinch of sea salt

To make the caramelised white chocolate, preheat the oven to 120C. Spread the chocolate on a baking sheet and drizzle with the oil. Place in the preheated oven for 10 minutes then remove and stir with a clean, dry spatula. Continue to cook for 30-60 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Don’t worry if the chocolate looks lumpy and chalky at some stage, it will smooth out and caramelize.
Once the chocolate is golden brown, stir in a pinch of salt. If it’s still lumpy you can place it in a food processor to smooth it out and add a little cream or oil if necessary. Store in a jar at room temperature.

To make the brownie cookies, melt the chocolate and Stork Bake together gently.
Beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla in an electric mixer for 15 minutes or until pale and creamy.
Fold in the flour, baking powder, chocolate mixture and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
Spoon tablespoons of mixture onto a lined baking sheet and bake at 180C for 8-10 minutes or until puffed and cracked.

Allow to cool completely then sandwich together with the caramelized chocolate.
*use a white chocolate with a minimum of 30% cocoa butter content for the best results

OTT Brownie cookies (25.2.2013) Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UN7kpKogLcA

I miss being a kid - Poem

I miss the family holidays, 

I miss the magic of Christmas and birthdays, 

I miss my childhood friends who were no one else but just themselves, 

I miss break times,

I miss packed lunches and Oros and Peanut butter sandwiches, 

I miss the reading period we had first thing at school, 

I miss PE, 

I miss organised school sport, 

I miss the school camps we went on, 

I miss the netball games and the swimming galas, 

I miss spending all day in the pool, 

I miss the mad 'back to school' rush for new stationery, school uniform and those ugly black shoes,

I miss my shoes and clothes getting too small for me,

I miss enjoying cartoons,

I miss having maths homework,

I miss the 'well done' stickers and gold stars on my work,

I miss the school productions and musicals,

I miss the early morning choir sessions,

I miss Tabatha and Tigger,

I miss having sleep overs,

I miss my older sister now that she's not living at home anymore,

I miss just being a kid.

- Written by Fern Emily Shaw 28-01-13

A look back at 2012

2012 was a roller coaster year:

I moved in with a friend who has become a sister to me (Shona Leigh Kelly). We had so many good times together, including many late night adventures to the nearest Mc Donalds for Mc Flurries - ice cream really is a cure for stress. I don't think I would have got through the year without her. I've never met anyone like her, I'm glad I have her as a friend, and I hope we will be friends for life. 

I unfortunately grew apart from old friends, this was probably one of the hardest changes for me to overcome. People change, we discover that we want different things in life, we have different goals. I think it'll take me a while still to get over it.

I had my first operation, and I can officially say that I don't like hospitals, but I'm glad to be alive and healthy - health is such an important thing, it can't be bought, so make sure you take care of your body, its the only one you have.

I went overseas by myself to visit my grandparents. It was hard staying with my grandparents because age has unfortunately got the best of my granddad, and it wasn't easy on my gran, but I'm so so glad that I had the opportunity to spend a month with them. I wish they didn't live so far away...The travelling was fun, I loved adventuring into Leeds on my own on shopping missions, I went down to Nottingham (Robin hood land) to see an old friend which was great! I wish we had a public transport system here in S.A. like they do in England. The day I arrived my cousin gave birth to her first child Oscar - he's adorable & such a good baby too!

Then it was time for my last semester as an undergrad, that's when the real work hit, but I got through it. We had so many assignments and presentations to do, but thankfully it was all group work which made it fun! I turned 21! I had the most amazing birthday party! I started dating a friend who I went through high school with and I couldn't be happier. I moved back home after my final exams which, looking back on it now, seemed to happen so quickly. I had a MASSIVE clear out of about 5 years worth of stuff. It feels so good to start this year de-cluttered - a clean & tidy living space certainly makes for a clear mind.

I am going to graduate on the 11th of April 2013 with a BCom in marketing management-Cum Laude (with distinction). I also got accepted into the honours programme for 2013 - I'm nervous but excited too! I cant wait for a new adventure to start. Thankfully there will be a few familiar faces as some of my friends are doing honours too. I can't wait to spend another year with them!

Wish Lanterns

After seeing the film by Disney called 'Tangled' I've been ever so obsessed with 'Wish Lanterns'. I'd like to set a few off at my 21st birthday next year (Oct 6 2012) and one day at my wedding too! What I really love about them is that they're made of 100% biodegradable material so they will bio-degrade in two to three days. I'm very conscious of our environment and the impact we have on it, I think that its important for us to be environmentally conscious in all that we do, and we should try to minimize the negative impacts which we have where ever it is possible to do so. I don't know about you, but I want to preserve our planet for the generations to come.

Wish Lantern history:
"The Wish Lantern is based around the design of the first hot air balloon - The Kongming Lantern - which is said to have been invented by the sage and military strategist Zhuge Liang. Chinese lanterns are claimed to date as far back as the 3rd century AD as a type of signalling balloon. Similar products are also known as sky Lanterns or Khoom Fay." -http://www.weddingbycolor.com/jellybeans88/milestones/162917

You can purchase a pack of 10 Wish Lanterns from amazon for about $35. Link: http://www.amazon.com/Wishlantern%C2%AE-Pack-10-Individually-Wrapped/dp/B001H3AMBQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1298420562&sr=8-2