BON VOYAGE, LITTLE HUGHES

My little brother is leaving for Africa for a few months to do some great things. Little Hughes: I miss you already and love you always, and cannot wait for the MEGA party when you return.

xxx

CAKE O'CLOCK

One of my favourite weekend activities is baking. Tomorrow my parents are coming to visit so I cooked this very pink vanilla cake for them. I used a recipe from Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook but doubled the quantities which worked perfectly for 2 shallow 21cm cake tins. Here's my adapted recipe:


FOR THE CAKE:
240g plain flour
280g caster sugar
5 tsps baking powder
a pinch of salt
80g unsalted butter
240ml whole milk
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Sprinkles, to decorate


FOR THE ICING:
500g icing sugar, sifted
160 unsalted butter (I didn't have unsalted so I used regular salted butter and melted it a bit in the microwave before mixing)
50ml whole milk (I ran out of milk so just used a little water - only a little though, you don't want it to be runny, especially when you're icing the sides)
Couple drops of vanilla extract
Pink food colouring


Pre-heat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3


Put the flour sugar, baking powder, salt and butter and beat with a handheld or electric whisk (I used a handheld whisk) until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined. Gradually pour in half the milk and beat until the milk is just incorporated.


Whisk the eggs, vanilla extract and remaining milk together in a separate bowl for a few seconds, then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until the mixture is smooth.


Pour the mixture evenly between two 21cm cake tins, until they're 50-75% full. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until light golden and the sponge bounces back when tocuhed. A skewer/knife inserted in the centre should come out clean.


Leave the cakes to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire cooling rack tok cool completely.


In the mean time, combine all the icing ingredients in a bowl and maybe lick the leftover cake mix from the other bowl...


When the cakes are cold, use a knife/spatula to cover the top of one with the icing evenly. Place the un-iced cake on top of the iced cake, and then cover the top and sides with a thick layer of the icing. A palette knife would probably work best but I don't have one so just used a knife and a spatula to spread. Then it's sprinkle time!

TO KEEP OR NOT TO KEEP: ACNE MAPE JACKET

I need your help. Should I keep or return this Acne Mape jacket? This is a size 34 and whilst it's not tight at all, I'm wondering whether the size up would look a bit slouchier and cooler. The 36 is actually sold out, so it's really just a question of, do I keep or return?

Wearing with: Proenza Schouler tee, Cos sleeveless polo neck and H&M leather skinnies. 'Scuse the unsightly security pass, which sadly is not a jaunty necklace.

P.s. I met Joseph Altuzarra today and I'm in LOVE.

CÉLINE ME ALONE

It's raining and pouring in London (see last photo for my feelings on the weather) but I've got my Céline Me Alone t-shirt so all is well. I've wanted one ever since Beccy and Jayne blogged about theirs.

Wearing: Céline Me Alone t-shirt (shop here), Isabel Marant hoodie, Gap puffa jacket, Proenza Schouler bag.

EDIBLE JUMPERS

I made gingerbread jumpers for my friend Nick's Bad Jumper party a few weeks ago. Gingerbread! Jumpers! What more could you want.

In other news, I'm crazy for Lou Doillon's new song, I.C.U., which I discovered over at Le Fashion. So good.

TEE TIME

A late night NET-A-PORTER purchase: two wardrobe essentials, slouchy silk-blend Kain tees in white and black.


In other news...





The times, they are a-changin'.

THE SECRET FASHION ADVENTURES OF DOMO-KUN

I recently suspected that when I leave for work, Domo-kun plays havoc in my flat. So I set up some secret cameras, and here are my findings:





It seems he's a fan of Hermes.





Sometimes he likes to read my blog.





Or rifle through my wardrobe...





His favourite playthings, however, are my Isabel Marant Willows sneakers. A Domo-kun after my own heart...





He likes to rock out on occasion. I'm told his favourite genre is that of the Riot Grrl variety.





His favourite tipple is bubbles, natch.





And when he's caught in the act he has a variety of disguises at the ready...


What a naughty Domo-kun.

PHONE TOYS

Look at my new phone toys! A Rabito case for my iPhone and a rabbit fur pom pom for my Android. Sorry for the macabre juxtaposition.


The Rabito case had been playing on my mind ever seen I saw Tala and Susie with theirs. And the pom pom I tracked down on eBay (I have another lime green one on the way, to attach to my PS1) after seeing this shot on Carolines Mode:





Now I just need to find a bitchin' outfit for my Blackberry. Yes, I have many, many phones...

HAPPY EASTER

What better way to celebrate than with an eggceptionally dressed egg?


Wearing: Givenchy headband, Céline t-shirt, Hermes clutch and collier de chien, Eddie Borgo bracelet, Miu Miu heels and Tabio socks.

THESE BOOTS WERE (PROBABLY NOT) MADE FOR WALKING

Meet my new babies - the over-the-knee, suede and leather, FRINGED, wedged (wow that's a lotta adjectives) boots from Isabel Marant's AW11 collection. It must have been fashion fate that brought us together, as I found them hidden away under a table at a sample sale. My boyfriend thinks they're 'intense', my mother thinks they're 'too much' and my dad actually laughed when I walked out in them, but I LOVE THEM. 


In other news, I managed to snag one of the elusive Isabel Marant number t-shirts from the SS11 collection. Again, it was a chance encounter - they'd just arrived at Bluebird one Saturday and there were only two left. Initially I'd wanted the red long-sleeved from the catwalk, but actually I much prefer this little green tank - perfect for layering over different t-shirts, and also by itself tucked into little shorts in the summer. Here's how I've been wearing both the t-shirt and boots lately:






Wearing: Isabel Marant hoodie, t-shirt and boots, Topshop Pippa jeans and Proenza Schouler PS1.






Wearing: T-shirt as before, H&M pleather skinnies (which look and feel like leather and have people asking 'where did you GET those?' on a daily basis), Mango shoes and bag as before.




And I couldn't NOT include my Willows, which you're probably sick of, but I'm rather enjoying the sports vibe (having been the least sporty person at school).

PLAYING IN MY PLAYSUIT

I might have just aged a quarter of century, but you wouldn't have guess it from my pigtailed hair and floral romper. It's not unlike something I would've worn as a ten-year-old, 'cept it probably would have been Tammy Girl. This Etoile Isabel Marant number is my new FAVOURITE. For work, I wear it with opaque tights, heeled ankle boots and a black polo neck. For playtime, I wear it with my old Luella batman tee, flailing legs and a mischievous little grin.

(Wearing: Etoile Isabel Marant floral romper, Luella batman t-shirt and Isabel Marant Willow trainers.)

PS1 IN ACTION

Meet the new love of my life... my beloved Proenza Schouler PS1. I've wanted him for what feels like a lifetime and finally, FINALLY we have been united.

I picked up these boyfriend jeans from Zara a few weeks ago and haven't taken them off. A skinny boyfriend jean just feels so fresh for the new season. In fact, apart from the Bag of Dreams, this whole outfit is quite cheap and cheerful - the heels are from Mango and the polo neck another Zara bargain (£3.99 in the sale!).

If I haven't conveyed my PURE UNADULTERATED JOY for my new bag, here's some pictorial evidence. LOOK AT MY SMUG LITTLE FACE:

And since I haven't updated in about a million years, here is a little round-up of things that are making me happy:

1. Baking! As you may or may not know, I am a keen cook. For my birthday party last weekend I took a day off work just to bake cake pops, gingerbread heart cookies and mini mac n' cheese muffins. All COVERED in edible glitter. My party guests seemed to enjoy the spread.

2. My birthday party. Had the most amazing birthday yet, starting out at my flat and ending up at The Box. What happens in The Box stays in The Box... I've managed to spread my birthday over two weekends and for my real birthday (yesterday) I spent the day with Mama and Papa Hughes. Thank you to all my lovely family and friends that made my 25th so memorable.

3. Trainers/sneakers. Having worn my Isabel Marant Willows to death already, my sneaker obsession is stronger than ever. Next on my list: a pair of New Balance kicks. Oh and those Balenciaga trainers (in my dreams).

4. Domo-Kun!I realise I'm a few years too late, but I've developed a penchant for the little critter. My last purchase as a 24 year old was a pink Domo-Kun plushie. Oh, and I've customised my phones to pink fluffy perfection. Photos coming soon.

5. Isabel Marant. As usual. My latest purchases include a floral romper, vintage tee and fringed boots. I have posts all lined up so you won't have to wait too long.

6. Hermes Vetiver Tonka. My new scent. A gift from my dear friend Trisha. Thank you, Trishy!

7. MAC Lady Danger lipstick. I'm a big MAC fan and have owned many of their reds including Ruby Woo and Morange, but this one is my new favourite. I'm wearing it in the photos here.

(Wearing: Zara polo neck and jeans, Proenza Schouler PS1 and Mango heels.)

PS1 I LOVE YOU

Today is my birthday! This little guy definitely made turning a year older a lot less traumatic.

Outfit post tomorrow!