Welcome back...

Hello! So sorry it has been so long. I have been busy but never made the time for my blog. I have had people asking when I would update it and new I should, but I just never got around to it and the longer I left it, the harder it got to think of something to write.

The best way to start back is with a cake and not just any cake but a chocolate mud cake covered in a chocolate ganache, wrapped with chocolate finger biscuits, filled with m&ms, a few silver cachous and wrapped in green ribbon.
Well it was Easter weekend and it was for my brother-in-law and father-in-laws birthdays. (Yip they share the same birthday). We had a great extended family dinner and the cake was enjoyed by all :)




This next picture is the first wedding cake I have made. I was so nervous the weeks leading up to the wedding, I may of scared the bride. But with the wonderful help of my mother it turned out lovely. I was so proud and excited to have accomplished something like this.
The bottom was a chocolate mud, while the top was sponge with a lemon cream cheese filling. Even though I did not bake these cakes, I made the filling. The flowers were brought from a cake decorating shop in Birkenhead.

So here is to many more cakes and hopefully many more wedding cakes.
Cheers!

p.s: will update more often :)

Where have I been...

Well so sorry it has been so long. I've have been enjoying my holiday with my family.
Firstly I haven't added any pics of cakes I have made, so here are some I have made in previous years.

Ashley's birthday ice cream sundae cupcakes
Dylan's Jack Sparrow birthday cake

Nikita's Bratz birthday cake

Dylan's Star Wars light saber cake

Hopefully there will be loads more to add this year, starting with Nikita's 8th birthday and even a wedding cake.

We made it through a busy Christmas day, visiting three houses and not having my car start at lunch time. To have the kids spoilt yet again. It's so exciting watching their faces as they come charging through at 6am to the tree filled underneath and the sacks bulging. I will have to borrow a camera and take pics of some of the kids toys.

I do however have pics of Dylan and Nikita with the new surfboard they now share. Opening that on Xmas day wasn't too interesting as they weren't able to use it. But as soon as we got to a beach, it was all on. Dad trained them how to get on and paddle out, then held the board for them to catch the best wave as they came flying back into shore. Both of the kids got to their knees and let go of their hands from the board, almost to their feet. A few more practices and they should be great surfers.

We have just started to slow down today. Being to the movies to watch Alvin and the chipmunks, a few days at the beach, Tenpin Bowling and the kids went to the family Cherry Spitting Competition while Mark and I went to the races.

I have been treated like a princess these hols. With vouchers Christmas day to get my hair done at Rodney Wayne, acrylic nails at a nail bar in the mall, Body Shop voucher and a Farmers voucher from the in-laws.

Then on New Years day Mark took me to buy a new dress to wear to the races and a butterfly headband with diamantes. It was a glorious day! So romantic just the two of us, under a sunshade, having lunch and watching the horses. We didn't win anything, but it was a great day out.

It's been a shame Mark has gone back to work this week. Will have to create our own fun, just the kids and I...what to do? What to do?

Will keep you posted :)

Silent Night?

Whoever wrote the song silent night clearly did not have a family. For the past week and a half we have had christmas parties, the children hyped up on fizzy and sugar and staying up later and later to watch every movie on t.v. Not to mentio our own hangovers. No silent night yet. As christmas day draws closer, there are more parties and treats on the way.

Then in previous years it's christmas eve and as a parent I'm wrapping the last minute pressies as I'm interuppted with a small voice "I can't get to sleep", " I'm not tired", or "I've got a sore tummy" As dad dives to hide the presents, I'm wrapping.

But I'm so glad it's never a quiet night in our house. It reminds me that christmas is all about the children and the excitement.

Merry Christmas to all and have a wonderful New Years! xx

Christmas is in the air, on my walls and on the floor...

Yes our tree has gone up, the stockings hung by the fire place and there is tinsel sprinkled accross our house in the anticipation for christmas day.
I was so proud of my children. Nikita decorated our 6ft tree with dad and Dylan out and I was sick on the couch. Then both of the kids continued to decorate their bedrooms, hang christmas cards and even find find the cd with endless carols.

We are officially ready!

So in the mood I finished work yesterday afternoon, comming home to bake the goodies. The fruit mince had been soaking in rum for about 3 weeks. I prepared the sweet short crust pastry into rounds, filled then baked two trays of christmas fruit mince pies, wrapped them in cellophane and added ribbon. Next I made chocolate rum balls with cream, milk chocolate and a little to much rum I think. Rolled them in cocoa powder and wrapped them in the cellophane and ribbon too. The gifts were ready and I dropped them up to work today.

With my christmas shopping almost complete I'm glad I don't have to fight my way through the crazy crowds. Every mother with her childs wish list in mind is out there, finding the best deals and grabbing the last toy off the shelves. Leaving last years toys for the last minute shopping mothers. That used to be me. Not this year. This year I'm prepared.

Oh until I have to hit the supermarket next week, just a few days before christmas.
Excuse me crazy mother comming through!

Domestic Goddess

The lady you find in the kitchen, baking those delightful little patissaries or a three course dinner. An apron on and the latest gadgets on her bench. Friends laughing over wine in the other room.

That is the sort of things I dream about. And with christmas just around the corner I'm hoping for some presents to enlighten my kitchen. Hoping, but maybe I should tell someone in the family so that they know that's what I would like. Dropping hints isn't the best way to go, nor is leaving pictures on the fridge.

Not that my christmas presents have ever been something that I don't like. My husband is a great shopper, he gets the right size in clothes, has great taste and has it under the tree before christmas morning.

The apron above is so cute. I love it. It's from Jessie Steele.

The mixer is an Artisan mixer in candy apple red from Kitchenaid.

Then there are the things that are a little more fashion than kitchen, but high on the christmas list just the same. Like the Dior book: Dreaming of Dior by Charlotte Smith. Filled with fashionable style and the cover is very ladylike.

Of course nothing would be complete without a new pair of gorgous high heels. Ones that you could only dream about. The Mai Lamore rose red shoes.

Well that is my wishlist for this year, good luck with yours!

Welcome to Shellz space.

Wow, look at me, I have a blog!
It's not something I have thought about to much. But I will give it a go.

As being a mother and wife I spend time doing the usual chores around the house, after school activities, trips and social activities.
But it is the baking I enjoy the most. Especially cake decorating (that includes cupcakes). So I will aim to upload my baking treat pictures and search for inspiration through other bakers.

Apart from the domestic side of things I enjoy all things in the world of fashion. High heel shoes, dresses, make-up, hair.
Now I'm not necessarily good at these things, but I like to give things a go and find inspiring pics. Anything that gets my attention, I will add also.

So I suppose this is my creative way of keeping track of what I like and what I do.

Enjoy.