Kawaii baking ideas ^_^

These fantastic pink cake roulades are made by lovely Heather at Sprinkle Bakes and she published a great tutorial for them as well, I can't wait to try it out. Go bake them! I'll be making this pretty in pink roularde for a neighbours 2nd birthday in a couple of weeks so watch this space for photos of my own attempt. Sprinkle bakes is a great website and some more kawaii baking I found during this surfing session include watermelon cupcakes & sponge cake (I will be making these soon as well!) and my favourite by far Lego :D

Betty crocker cake mixes are my favourite cheat, they taste so moist and I turn to them more and more for a sure fire fabulous bake. With a baby to care for I'm short on time so I'd rather not risk a balls up of my own temperamental baking skills, which by the way are diminishing as I use them less and less - nowadays I'm cheating more often than not, a down wards spiral never tasted so sweet!

The important things in life?

Anyone who knows me will know I am a positive upbeat person who enjoys the simple things in life even when the complex ones aren’t going to plan. I think this is a healthy attitude to have and I try to maintain this sunshine outlook on life.

Unfortunately the music industry seems to be filled with singers and songwriters who are either drunk /on abooty call or depressed, most seem to lack genuine depth. British singer Adele is a sexy lady with a very soulful voice, her music is loved by millions across the globe and her latest melancholy song “Someone like you” has had extensive airplay on both radio and TV. . . . . I hate it! I disliked it on first hearing and with it’s repeated over playing I find I am more and more annoyed by the song and the coverage it gets.



Sure it’s a touching song full of sorrow for a lost love, we can all relate to that and its beautifully sung but if you listen to the story its just pathetic. The character turns up at the house of a man she lost, and since that time he has married and had a kid. Someone who not only holds a torch for that long but also acts on her heartache and despair so long after their parting is not in a healthy place. Love is important but dwelling on the past is depressingly sad and not in a good way.

Here instead listen to some Palo Nuttini, the cheerful chap who brightens up my day with his bouncy tunes and appealing lyrics about enjoying the simple important things in life :)



Remember that if you have shoes on your feet, a roof over your head and food in your belly you are better off that 2/3rds of the worlds population, stop winging and enjoy good health and the warm sunshine on your face :)

Street Party

It wont be long now intill the big day arrives, The Royal Wedding. Kate Middleton will marry our Prince William to become Princess Windsor, the country will rejoice (for the most part) and we all get a bank holiday and have a 3 day week - huzzah!

The realm at large will commemorate the occasion with many street parties up and down the country, a traditional celebration often seen with bunting and cucumber sandwiches. Applications for road closures have been received in record numbers, particularly in Wales and Northamptonshire where William has ties to the Spencer family. Public Liability insurance is not necessary in most cases when no money is being exchanged and many people are planning festive feast for the occasion.

Unfortunately there are some issues with red tape, some councils charging for road closures and others refusing for approval without certain insurance policies. I hope that more councils consider slashing the forms and charges regarding these events following the example of Sutton council Its a time when encouraging community spirit should be applauded :)

Our little military community is having a fanfare event for 50 people (which is 90% of the residents!) with bouncy castle, races games and a hat making competition. There is also some face painting being done and if its warm enough David will put the stocks out and you can soak dad with water bombs ;)

Hips Dont Lie

Belly dancing has taken on a surge of popularity in recent years, following the trend of alternative fitness like pole dancing and boxer-sizing, with classes popping up all over the place.

Belly dancing actually involves all parts of the body but most specifically the hips, modern belly dancing is an Arabic folk dance and has different traditions depending on its origins. For example in Egypt dancers are not allowed to touch themselves during performance or have their midriff showing, where as Turkish dancers are much more seductive, often wearing mini skirts and high heels.

I've always been interested in the flamboyant folks dances so when the opportunity arose to attend a belly dancing workshop I eagerly took it. It was great fun, made us all feel very sexy and confidant and is a great way to keep fit. During the first lesson, held on 13th March 2010, we learnt a simple dance for beginners. It still needs practice and polishing but even though it was our first go we had great fun : )

Dakimakura Otaku!

In the past people have fallen in love with inanimate objects and some have even been married, both the Berlin wall and the Eiffel Tower have brides. But for the first time a man has officially married a pillow. Last Thursday, 4th March, a Korean man married his Dakimakura, a hugging pillow that has a printed picture of anime charterer on it, in this case it an imagine of Fate Testerosa from the series Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.

Lee Jin-guy, 28, dressed his dakimakura, a hugging pillow, in a bridal gown and before guests was wed to her by a priest. It was extensively covered by local media at the time and was printed in the London Metro today.

A friend at the ceremony told London Metro: 'He is completely obsessed with this pillow and takes it everywhere,' They also added in their article; 'They go out to the park or the funfair where it will go on all the rides with him. Then when he goes out to eat he takes it with him and it gets its own seat and its own meal,'.

If you didn't believe in true love before then this might sway you, but then you might also think the world has gone totally mad, it depends how you look at it. I wish him great happiness : )

Cat adoption

According to the cat's owner, Ruben Dario Gaviria of Envigado, Columbia, Tito adopted Firulais, a baby squirrel, in December 2009, when Gaviria brought it home after finding it alone and injured on a tree branch. Tito suckles her own baby cat and the squirrel, caring for them both. So cute ^_^

All Hallows 'Eve

It was a grave yard smash! The Halloween party was a thoroughly wicked night with enjoyable company and brilliant costumes. First prize to Jack and Sally for their wonderful home made ensemble.


We had fewer guest than anticipated due to the last minute on camp party organised by neighbours but we had just the right amount of people to enjoy company as well as good food and cocktails. We joined the camp party for a few drinks and had a cracking time into the wee small hours. It all went swimmingly and I had the most fantastic evening : )

Good will to all men

Recently I started making a dress costume for my friend, after my first few patterned pieces I felt happy to try something a bit harder. But a panelled lined fitted dress from scratch is a bit different from cushion covers and curtains! It was far too complicated for my mediocre dress making skills and I was depressed. I phoned several local tailors but no one was interested, one said he would have a look but decided he didn't have time to do it. BUT he did offer me use of his 2nd industrial sewing machine to use if I had time to do it myself. I tried to be clear that it was too hard for me and didn't know what to do but he still happy to show me.

It could have so easily been uncomfortable or in fact a disaster but it was an easy atmosphere and I did not feel unwelcome at all. After 7 hours of work I had nearly finished Komandei was a brilliant help, giving assistance where needed and gave me the confidence to do it all myself. I made a few mistakes but most were imperfections and a re-did a couple, I could have never done it by myself at home and he showed me a couple of new techniques that with a bit of practice I can now do myself. The zip was the hardest part but I am very happy with the result and hope that Laila is happy with the dress when I see her next week.

My point is that there are kind people where ever you are, even strangers. In this economy its easy to be selfish and only think of yourself, every one is short on pennies but Komandei helped me to finished my dress with no profit to himself and only my gratitude as payment. That kind of thing reminds me that the world hides gems all over the place, you just have to look ; )

Time for tea!

Afternoon tea is making a comeback. Customers are flocking to tearooms and eschewing the ghastly coffee chains with their thick, foaming, sickly, jumbo-sized hugely expensive coffees.

Good. About time, too. We need an escape from the raving-mad modern world, and afternoon tea comes from less frenzied times: the tea gardens of the early 18th century, the first Lyons tea houses – all safe havens for unaccompanied ladies, when half the population wasn't waddling around weighed down by excess fat. And in the 1950s and 6

0s, we were forever asking people to tea. It saved you the bother of cooking a proper meal, and only lasted an hour or so.

My very own tea set ^_^

The career power women of the eighty's with their sharp hair cuts and strong shoulder pads have raised a generation of daughters who are more interested in enjoying the simpler things in life, like baking and tea cups. It is much more satisfying to take the time to have your tea brewed in a pot or strained over leaves, in a special cup with some sweet treat. It seems so English and so peaceful, which is really what we could all do with a little more of.