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Monday 30 May 2011

Baking for my Husband

After my thank you cupcakes from yesterday's post I decided to bake a cake for my husband as he felt slightly left out. So he got his very own special cake. 


 This turned out 100% better than I imagined. I can bake amazing cupcakes until them come out of my ears, but cakes have never really been my forte. I may not look amazing, but I love using buttercream, and I love the messy effect it gives the cake. Good job really. haha.


We had to have a picture of the boy cutting his cake. He cut right through the centre of the heart, luckily not through mine. I love this man more than anything on the face of this earth, and nothing says I love you more than a homemade cake. Like they say, 'the way to a mans heart is through his stomach.' haha. I'm becoming a right little housewife. Shame it only extends to baking and not the cooking and cleaning. 

Speak Soon, 
Katie 
x

Sunday 29 May 2011

Seeing Double

I mentioned in a previous post that I had been asked to make a batch of cupcakes for the vicar's (who married us) birthday. Once I got home from work last night, after watching Doctor Who of course, I got cracking with my challenge. 

I was asked to make 24 which was pretty easy really. My Nanna lent me her muffin tray which matches mine, and I just doubled the recipe. I was a little bummed out that I didn't make a few more so that we all could have a taste test, but I will remember that for next time. haha. 

Once thing I should add is that I alway try to use happy eggs... and not just because of how happy they are in the bowl...


but because happy uncaged chickens make happier eggs. And I believe that you really can taste the difference, and I must say that the texture is also different. 

I love baking so much. I find it so relaxing and would love to one day turn a hobby into a career, but until then I'll just share all my creations with you guys. I'm also not even ashamed to say that my buns taste incredible. The sponge is light and fluffy and the buttercream is rich but not sickly. Let just say that I have been known to crave my own cupcakes... and Mike pesters me for some all the time. 

I got cracking with the recipe at about 7:30pm so that were as fresh as they could be. 

I've actually got to the point now where I don't time my cakes. I just let them cook and take them out when they are ready. I never thought that this was possible, but it is!


And there we have it. All lined up like little soldiers, with flags. haha. I'm obsessed with having flags in the buns. Mike makes them so I can concentrate on the decorations. 


When I finally woke up today (see how I didn't mention this 'morning'. haha) I had received two phone calls, both leaving a message. 
One from my Nanna and one from the vicar saying just how much they loved my cupcakes and that they went down a treat. This sounds awful, but if old people say that they are good... then they must be. Personally I think that old people are the worst critics because they just don't care. haha. 
Overall I am so happy with these. The phone calls made my day and I felt so proud. Just a shame that I didn't get to try one! 

Speak Soon, 
Katie 
x

Friday 27 May 2011

Just the usual!

This is just something I've started carrying around with me when visiting family and friends... like you do. haha. 



We put all our favourite pictures from our wedding in this frame and it's an absolute pain to take the pictures in and out, so we have resorted to carrying it around with us instead. It proved difficult when showing my Nanna mind. I planned on holding it up so she could have a little look then taking it into the living room so she could have a proper look. Instead I had to hold it up for ages... my arm ached! haha. I can't wait for my other prints to arrive so I don't have to do this anymore. 

Speak Soon,
Katie
x

Wedding: Our Photo Shoot

Michael and I have never done a photo shoot before, (unless outfit of the day posts count) so this experience was a little odd. Luckily our photographers were fantastic and made us feel pretty relaxed. We gave them free reign to use their imagination and create wonderful photos for us. In other words, "Michael and I have no idea what we're doing so please help us." haha. It worked. Most of our favourite shots are from us messing around, or basically just having a laugh.  So these are what came of our little shoot...


And there we have it. Only the reception left to go. I love every second of our day, though the reception was just up our street. 

Speak Soon,
Katie
x

Thursday 26 May 2011

The Gloss, The Matte and The Ugly

As I'm sure you're aware Michael and I were married 2 weeks ago and of course we had many, many pictures taken. (Like you didn't know. haha.) I'd saved some McDonald's Monopoly vouchers for 50 free photo prints from snapfish. Now I'd never heard of this company before, but I thought, "well if I'm getting summet for nowt then I might as well see what they're like."

Now they are not 100% free, you do still have to pay for postage, but for 99p delivery you really can't complain. I placed my order on Friday and I received my packages on Wednesday morning. I was pretty impressed, and seen as I had never used this company before I half expected that I would never receive them. Does anyone else think like that when they buy from somewhere new or is it just paranoid little old me?



Now I would say that I choose three different styles on purpose but if I'm honest I didn't. Instead I was too much of an eager beaver and failed to check my order before completing. But for the purpose of this review then it worked out pretty well. Now before I go any further I thought that I'd add that though I got these prints for free (because, thank you McDonald's, I won them) I am in no way getting paid for this review. I wish that I was but unfortunately not. Anyway lets continue...

This picture kinda bugs me.. I really should have lined the pictures up better!


I choose standard glossy print, glossy with border, and finally matte with border.

Firstly the standard glossy pictures. 



Now the quality of these turned out great. I only got 20 of these because I used the companies offer of 20 free prints for being a new customer, so I choose to print off the pictures I wanted to hand out to people in their thank you cards. I'm pretty impressed. Though since having borders on the majority of my pictures and seeing just how professional they all look I'm not that keen on standard prints anymore. I didn't know that you could be a print snob, but I guess I am. haha. 

Now for the glossy prints with border.



I love these. Every single picture turned out perfect. The quality is amazing and they really do look rather professional. I love the finish and they just make out wedding pictures look just that little bit more special. 

And finally the matte prints with border. 


These I think are my favourite finish. Now I think the finishes of matte and gloss is just personal preference, but to me having a matte finish gives the pictures that added bit of charm. The only problem I have found with a matte finish is that I want to stroke them. This has started to worry me. haha. Anyway... we had one picture from the matte pile that came out a little wrong. One picture shows Mike having a blue ink splodge on his right ear, which he didn't have. They were free so I'm not going to complain, but I believe that they should all be hand checked before they are sent out for delivery. Yes someone may think that he actually had that ink splodge there and it wasn't a print error, but we were in church... on or wedding day, so I doubt it. 

Overall I'm pretty impressed and I think I would go ahead and make a paid order when the time comes. But for now I still have two more vouchers for 50 free prints so I'm going to go ahead and use them. I love McDonald's Monopoly vouchers, and though I didn't win £250,000 or whatever the prize was, I did win my wedding photos... so in my world that makes me a pretty big winner. It's definitely the small things in life. 

Speak Soon,
Katie 
x


Thursday Treasures No.3

So we are here again. I know it's been a while with this type of post but I had to let my blog take a little bit of a back seat for the past couple of weeks due to the wedding and all. Though you never would have guessed seen I've done over 40 posts this month alone. haha. Lets face it, I'm obsessed! Anyway, I love these posts, they don't seem to be the most popular of my posts but I love writing them so I don't really mind. 



Lets get started...
The following blogs are all ones that I have been loving recently. As soon as these people make a post I feel a need to read it almost immediately so why not share some blogging love?

First up:



I only found this blog a few weeks ago now and I love it. She writes lovely posts, takes pretty pictures and makes the most adorable jewellery. I love reading all here posts but most of all recently her money saving tips have been my favourites. Without a doubt I would recommend going to check out her blog, and if you have time and money check out her shop, where she sells the cutest and yet very affordable jewellery items. Plus she always leaves me the sweetest comments ever, which only makes me love her even more.

Next we have:



I've been following this blog for about 2 months as well but once again I love reading her posts. Why else would I follow someones blog? haha. She's recently been completing the 30 day blog challenge which I have enjoyed reading, plus it's meant that she's had a blog post up every day, which is a bonus. She posts great DIY posts, my favourite being her most recent one. You'll have to click the link to find out what it is. Plus look how pretty this girl is!

And last but by no means least:



Now I've been following this blog for as long as I can remember. In fact if I remember correctly she was my first ever follower over a year ago. Now I have had this blog that long, but I only class my self as truly starting blogging in March this year. Though I say this, she's been here from the beginning and I appreciate that more that words could say. I love her blog so much. There are a few blogs that I follow that are my inspirations for blogging and Caz's blog is definitely one of them. So blame her. haha. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what she blog about because I'm sure you are already a follower, but I'm going to do it anyway. ha! My personal favourite posts of hers are her baking posts. She creates the most scrum-did-ily-um-shush deserts ever! I love her new purchase posts because to be honest... she has great taste, but most of all I love her update posts... because well... I'm nosey! haha.

So that's it for this week. 
I hope you've found someone new to follow.
Speak Soon,
Katie
x

Wednesday 25 May 2011

If it's broke... fix it!

I picked up this dress in Primark a couple of weeks ago. Now I don't know if it's just me but these dresses are a nightmare to get hold of. Don't get me wrong, they always have plenty in stock which is great.. if you're a size 6 or 8, but unfortunately I was not bless with a high metabolism. So when I spotted this lurking at the back I jumped with joy. 


Now yes, as you can see by the picture (professionally modelled by me. haha) the strap is broken. The look on the ladies face was a picture when she realised that I wanted to buy a broken item of clothing, but come on it's only a strap. 

Today I decided that I wanted to wear it, so out came the needle and thread, and of course the camera for my lovely blog. 



And you can't let this post go by without Katie's concentration face. haha. Thank you Mike for that one. 



And there we have it, my bargain £4.50 dress. I love it. And what better way to finish this post of than with an outfit of the day.


Dress - Primark 
Cardigan - Primark years ago (originally bought for work when I workes as a waitress)
Shoes - Primark 
Leggings - Primark 
Belt - Tesco (wow something that's not from Primark)
Headband - wait and see..

Speak Soon,
Katie 
x

P.S Mike had to poke a new hole in my belt for me. Best idea really seen as I was going to try and do it with an electric drill. haha. 


Wedding: After The Ceremony

So we're back with the wedding posts and we're almost done. I loved our wedding day so much and it's amazing that I can re-live it all over again with our pictures. Here we are outside the church straight after the ceremony. I didn't want many formal pictures so most of the ones we have are just full of laughter just like our day.


Next up are the pictures from our professional wedding photo shoot. At first these were uncomfortable as it's not something that Mike and I have ever done, but in the end we relaxed and ended up with some pictures that we truly love. 

Speak Soon,
Katie 
x

Tuesday 24 May 2011

100th Blog Post

I'm quite happy to say that this is my 100th blog post. When I started upon my blogging journey I never once thought that I'd have enough to say to fill 100 posts. I have enjoyed writing each and every one of them, and couldn't let this milestone pass by without having a cake to celebrate. Originally I was going to bake some of my infamous cupcakes, but instead settled upon a McDonald's chocolate muffin... mmmmm!



So there we have it a blog post dedicated to blog posts. haha. I have so many posts lined up ready to type up which is bound to keep me busy over the next week or so, so keep an eye out for those. I never once thought that I would enjoy blogging as much as I do. I first started this blog over a year ago now but only really started blogging in March this year. Before I just didn't have the motivation for it, or anything to say, whereas now I don't seem to ever shut up. haha. It would even be fair to say that I'm blog obsessed! In regards to blogging, the only thing I enjoy more than writing blog posts is reading them, and interacting with you guys. I have officially fallen in love with the blogging community. 

Expect to see more from me on here and probably commenting on all of your blogs.
Speak Soon,
Katie
x

Fitness: The 30 Day Shred



So surprise, surprise I've jumped on the 30 Day Shred bandwagon. I must admit I've owned this DVD for quite sometime now but have never actually made it past stage one. Mainly because I'm a wimp! I can go  through day 1, day 2  and even day 3, but I'm in that much pain from sore, achy and unfit muscles that I can't physically take anymore by day four. That was until I read someones blog (who I frustratingly cannot remember who's!!! If it's you please tell me. haha.) who stated that if you work through the pain it will ease up. 

So there you have it... one person who's battled the pain and got through to the other side has encouraged me to finally kick the 30 day shred's butt! And believe me when I put my mind to something I do it! Lets face it I quit smoking over a year ago and though I still crave one every now and then I know that I won't ever smoke again! 

I've taken all my measurements which I will state below, so I can record my progress. This is normally the part where I usually fail. I always forget to take my measurements before I start a new fitness plan, and while I am slightly ashamed of them, I believe it will work as added personal encouragement to work off those extra "few" inches, (or centimetres 'coz that's how I roll'!) Plus adding them to my blog  prevents me from loosing them... I loose everything!

As you can see... I'm not even!


Now at the moment I'm not going to intentionally change my diet. I feel that when embarking on a new fitness plan it's a natural process for your body to crave better foods, so instead I'm going to listen to what my body asks for. 

On the other hand, one thing I will have to change will be my vitamin intake. When exercising I suffer from bad cramping due to the loss of essential vitamins and minerals through sweat, so I need to replace these pretty quickly after a workout to prevent having to take the dreaded Dioralyte! I mainly suffer the worst of the cramps in my calfs which is a pain to say the least. Mind the pun. So I will start taking 'One A Day Magnesium 375mg capsules,' (one daily obviously) and then drink one bottle of power-ade after each workout.  

I'm quite excited about starting this workout dvd and I will update weekly with my measurements until the 30 days are up. Fingers crossed. I may also add my thoughts about it at the end of other posts if anyone is interested. 

Speak Soon,
Katie
x

Monday 23 May 2011

Show me your pants!

We headed to Tesco today for some much needed shopping and spotted these amazing pants. I would show you a picture in the packaging but Mike being the eager beaver that he is opened them before I got a chance. Men! 



We spotted a similar pair in Primark a while back but decided not to pick them up as Katie has issues and they just weren't soft enough. Now I'm glad that we waited. These cost £12 and are super soft and that is before they've even been washed. I now have a happy husband. In fact thinking about it, this is the first gift I've bought my 'husband.'



I'm actually shocked that he hasn't made me swear that I wont wear them. Haha. Well it is still early doors. 

Speak Soon, 
Katie 
x

KatieWrites: A book review - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro 


I've just finished reading Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro. When I say just, I mean it. As soon as I read the last page and closed the book I felt compelled to write my book review. Normally I allow myself I few days to gather my thoughts about a story before letting them out on paper, so to speak, but this one sent me through so many emotions that I felt it didn't need a few days. In fact a few days to mull over such an influential book would be almost disrespectful. 

There are times in life when you come across a piece of writing and are left with not only a sense of satisfaction, but also a sense of loss. This is one of those times. 

Blurb: Kathy, Ruth and Tommy grew up together at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic school deep in the English countryside with a dreadful secret at it's heart. Now thirty-one, Kathy attempts to come to terms with her childhood at Hailsham and with the fate that has always awaited her and her closest friends in the wider world.

First I'll start by saying that before I picked up this book I knew nothing about it. I knew that a film had been created based on the novel, but I have not yet even seen the trailer, so it's safe to say that I went into this with a completely open mind, and I'm so glad that I did. I don't want to go into what this book is about as that is part of the mystery of the story. On the other hand I will say that I was captured by it's charm and compelled by it's many questions from the second that I opened the book. They were times where I'd huff and Michael would turn to me and state with a questioning tone, "You love that book don't you?" and I reply with a sigh, "Yes."

This book left no question unanswered, though there were many brought up through-out the whole story. I always try to guess the plot of a story through-out, which is always part of the fun, and whereas sometimes I could guess and sometimes I couldn't, I never once felt cheated. I loved how this book captured me, I loved the characters, and I felt though the ending may have been sad, it was kind of inevitable. For me that it not a spoiler as there are many ways in which this book could have ended, so please take that statement in which ever way you feel necessary. 

I could discuss this book all day long, but not in the way of a book review. My next mission is to pass this incredible book on, so I then can have someone to discuss the details with. I would recommend this book to anyone I meet. It opens up questions about humanity, and the way in which you view the world. It will take you through many emotions all in a matter of pages. And it will leave you with a sense of satisfaction and completion. It is not a book that will leave you questioning why you read it, in fact it is a book that will leave you thinking why you had waited so long to read it. 

As you can tell I loved this book, and I think I would read it again. I know that this will come as a shock as I've mentioned in my previous book reviews how I don't re-read books. But I think to re-read this one would enable me to view it from a completely different angle and perhaps spot things I didn't the first time round. I will be watching this movie as soon as I get my hands on it, which I am quite excited about. I am curious to see how they adapt such a captivating story for the big screen. I'm slightly worried that it will be a bit of a let down, as with a lot of movie adaptations, but I'm keeping my hopes up.

Katie
x

I'm now looking forward to finding other work by Kazuo Ishiguro, so if you have any recommendations please feel free to comment below. 

Sunday 22 May 2011

NOTD: I've 'Bee'-n Buzzy

I've had a thing about nail art recently. I think it's because my nails are long and in such good condition recently, which then means I have the urge to paint them all sorts of pretty colours with funky colours. Plus I'm off work at the moment with no wedding to plan for, which means I have more time on my hands. Yeay! I love my job and I loved my wedding, but it's nice not to think about them for a while. 

Here's my latest creation. When I say my creation I mean that I painted them, but the inspiration came from here. I saw this video sometime last year and for some reason today it popped into my head. I love them. She explains how to do them so much better than I ever could. Though the video I've linked must have been re-uploaded because I'm positive I saw this last year, but this video is dated March 2011. Very odd. Anyway...


 I love bumble bees and I love how much they make me think of summer. 



Speak Soon,
Katie
x

Wedding: The Ceremony

Here we are at my favourite and most important part of the day, the vows. We smiled and laughed so much throughout the day that it was hard to find serious shots. haha. We laughed with happiness rather than through nervousness. If I could go back and relive this part over and over again... I would! 


For some reason I cannot get these pictures equal sizes, even though I have physically re-size all the pictures to the same width. So I guess I will have to make do with a messy blog. I love how these posts are beginning to tell the story of our day, and as you can tell it was a very happy day indeed, with many, many smiles. 

We will see you tomorrow outside the Church.
Speak Soon,
Katie 
x