Nail post......

Good afternoon ladies a little post about my shade of nails in the last couple of weeks.

O.P.I Rainbow Connection

I REALLY,REALLY,REALLY wanted the O.P.I Rainbow connection but didn't discover it until it was like gold dust to get hold of! i searched high and low for it and as always E-Bay was the place to find it....for a ridiculous price!....i say ridiculous i found it for  £17.99....i thought that was alot....then i discovered the Technic 'Carnival' which is very similar for £2.49! which of course ended up being sold out everywhere......that was until a couple of weeks ago when i found it on good old E Bay for £6.99 so i hit that Buy it now button very quick!

Technic- Carnival

I did a black base coat with 2 coats of the Carnival and top coat.....I love it,i love the glitter! I had so many compliments! i didn't want to remove it!

                                                                                                                                                                          I've also wore the O.P.I Planks Alot......

I've been sticking to my baking every week too, this is just some of what I've been getting up to, I'm making Scones tomorrow, made a Victoria Sponge this afternoon YUM YUM!

                                                        

                                                                

If you follow me on Twitter you will know how I've been getting on at Weight Watchers....I have lost 12lbs and have got 9lb to go until i reach my goal weight. I have recently started exercise classes 3-4 times a week to help me shift that last bit and it really is working......so i will keep you posted! Are you following a diet plan? What classes do you do? I would love to hear about it.

                                                          With love Tara...xxx

NEW Hair colours at the salon.....

Good evening ladies, short but sweet post tonight....this week at the salon we've had 6 new colours.....6 rich,gorgeous colours....its from the new 'Fruits and Berries' range from Affinage and thought about a couple of you bloggers out there when i first seen them. The names of some of the colours go from 'Warm Toffee Apple'....to 'Chocolate Orange'....good enough to eat! some of the pictures Ive got aren't that great as they're from my phone (SORRY) but you can still see how nice the colours are! I cant wait to get using them on my clients!

The colours are so rich and are really going to bring shine to your hair....Here's the colours up close...the pictures don't do them justice...they're beautiful!

                                                                 
Im thinking Warm Toffee Apple with a few slices of Cherry & Rosehip???? What do you think? Which one is your favourite?

                                                           With Love Tara x x x

Classic Victoria Sponge...

I just love baking and try to do it at least once a week on my day off with Freddie however today he was more interested in Thomas the tank engine so didn't have my usual assistance!

Now I've not done a Victoria Sponge many times but I'm definitely getting better at it...just need to master getting the sponge thicker....but still....it tastes GORGEOUS!

Here is the recipe i use from my 'I LOVE SUGAR' baking book, in case you would like to have a go yourself!

Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS:
*175G/60Z BUTTER,SOFTENED,PLUS EXTRA FOR GREASING
*175G/6OZ CASTER SUGAR
*3 EGGS,BEATEN
*175G/6OZ SELF-RAISING FLOUR
*PINCH OF SALT

FOR THE FILLING:
* STRAWBERRY OR RASPBERRY JAM
BUTTER CREAM:
*140G/5OZ BUTTER,SOFTENED
*280G/10OZ ICING SUGAR
*1-2 TBSP OF MILK

Pre heat the oven to 180degrees/350farenheit/Gas Mark. Grease 2 x 20cm/8inch sandwich tins.

Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl  using a hand-held whisk until the mixture is pale in colour and light and fluffy. Add the egg a little at a time,beating well after each addition.

Sift the flour and salt and carefully add to the mixture, folding it in with a spatula.

Divide the mixture between the prepared tins and smooth over with the spatula.....

Place on the sameshelf in the centre of the pre heated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until well risen,golden brown,and beginning to shrink from the sides of the tins.

Whilst they're cooking i prepared my butter cream filling and stored in the fridge until i needed it....to do the butter cream i beat the butter in a large bowl until soft. Add half of the icing sugar and beat until smooth. Add the remaining icing sugar and milk and beat the mixture until smooth and creamy. You can add more milk to loosen the mixture slightly if you feel its too thick.

butter cream filling....i don't think i know anybody that can do this without their finger slipping in for a taste!! YUM!

Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 1 minute. Loosen the cakes from around the edges of the tins using a knife........

Turn the cakes onto a tea-towel and then place on a wire rack......

When completely cool, spread one side with your choice of jam and the other with your butter cream place the butter cream one on top of the jam (like you'd make a sandwich!) and press down slightly,now with a mini sieve a light dusting of icing sugar all over the top works a treat!

Now put the kettle on and make yourself a cuppa,cut a slice and enjoy!

Sorry about presentation I'm after a glass cake stand...but will make do with a plate!





It tastes amazing! I wish i could give you all a piece! Do you like Baking? have you got a speciality? would love to hear about it.

                             With Love Tara x x x

BIG Ginger Nut Biscuits....

Good afternoon girlie's, a bit of a different post today well 2 posts actually....I love to bake! and cook! so i thought why not share my recipes with you lovely lot. I know it wont be everybodys choice of post but if you like a bit of baking these are deeeeelicious recipes.....and very easy to do!

Me and Freddie made these Ginger Nut biscuits last week. As well as Mcvities milk chocolate Digestives (you cant beat Mcvities!) these are our favourites...i haven't got step by step pictures on this one. This is the recipe.

It does make 30 small ones but as you can see i prefer to do them bigger! so i get about 15.

INGREDIENTS:
*350G/12OZ FLOUR
*PINCH OF SALT
*200G/7OZ CASTER SUGAR
*1 TBSP GROUND GINGER
*1 TBSP BICARBONATE OF SODA
*125G/4.5 OZ BUTTER,PLUS EXTRA FOR GREASING
*75G/2 3/4 OZ OF GOLDEN SYRUP
*1 EGG,BEATEN

Pre heat the oven to 160 degrees/325 Fahrenheit/Gas mark 3, then lightly grease several baking trays.

Sift the flour,salt,sugar,ginger and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl.

Heat the butter and golden syrup in a saucepan over a very low heat until the butter as melted.Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool slightly,then pour the contents onto the dry ingredients.

Add the egg and mix thoroughly to form a dough. Using a teaspoon i spoon fairly big spoonfuls on to the greased baking trays(roughly 15), spaced well apart and flatten slightly.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes,then carefully transfer to a cooling rack.

They go down well with a good cup of English tea!.....and they don't last very long in our house either!



Freddie loves his own baking!


                                                                With love Tara...xxx