The Baking Experiment Presents: ‘Flaming Lips’ Cupcakes

I have been a little bit behind on my baking lately as my job has taken over much of my time in the last couple of weeks. And while my love for baking is still very much an important part of my life the actual act of baking was put on hold for a couple of weeks. That changed very quickly when my dear old colleague (and partner in crime for the adventures of Mr Claus) Joe approached me with a very special request.

Email from 23/05

Subject: CUPCAKES: YES PLEASE

Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch-A Me...On Robots and interactive lingerie

“And that's just one small fraction of the main attraction;You need a friendly hand and I need action...” –Rocky Horror Picture Show

Does this make my bum look big? On how we see ourselves & self-esteem

"In the words of Oscar Wilde 'Be yourself; everyone else is taken'." - Carol Lake*

Every morning on my way into work I walk past a newspaper and magazine stand. The last time I actually bothered to take a look at any of the magazines on their shelves I, unsurprisingly, found most magazines trying to entice me to buy them by promising me a quick and easy way to the perfect body. Taking their offer seriously I should have the perfectly tall, lean, muscular body structure with long legs, straight, white teeth, long fingers (but not toes) and radiant skin that I have always dreamed of.

The Baking Experiment presents: Spiced Apple and Elderflower Cupcakes

So I haven’t posted a baking blog in a while, which is unusual for me. But to be honest life has been pretty hectic and with me starting a new job and a lot of personal stuff happening, baking and blogging had to take a step back. As life is starting to calm down a little (Mission: Look after myself a little better!) I spend last Sunday in the kitchen baking cupcakes and Kiss biscuits (blog to follow soon, promise!). 

Where The Happiness Begins or The True Friendship

"You should see my favourite people;

You catch a glimpse of gold through their skins.

I walk on air whenever I'm with them; They're where the happiness begins.

And I'm alright on my own, but with them I'm much better.

They're like diamonds and diamonds are forever." - BOY, Army

There a people in everyone's life who make it better; who make you feel safe and warm. All they have to do is turn up, be there and suddenly the world is ok. Plain and simple. 

I Now Declare You Hus.. I Mean Wife And Wife: Thoughts On Same-Sex Marriage

My friend got married in November. It was like many other weddings, big white dress, cake, lots of relatives and friends all gathered to celebrate two people in love making a commitment. Everyone dressed up, everyone bought presents. We danced, we ate, we had fun. 

It was the first (and so far only wedding) I had the pleasure of attending. My friend Ness looked beautiful and so did her bride. Her bride you may ask, yes, her bride. Not only was this my first wedding but also my first ‘gay’ (or shall we say same-sex?) wedding. 

Playing By The Rules: The Game of Life and Love

I love games. Big fan. Cannot begin to describe how much I love them. Board games that is. Monopoly, Yahtzee, Poker, Game of Life, you name it. I may not be good at them, I may never win, but I will still play. Every time.

Its easy to enjoy a game with friends because in the end its not about winning or losing. It is about spending time with people you love, about having a good time, sharing a laugh. Making memories in the process. Some of my fondest childhood and teenage years memories involve board games. The hours mum, my brother and I spending hours playing card and Yahtzee. A. teaching me poker. My Tassie friends and I playing Monopoly for 7 hours straight.  

On Hobson's Choice* Or Why Choices Are Hard to Make

Jean-Paul Satre famously once said: “We are our choices.” We all make them. Every day. Some are easy; some are hard. But without making choices we wouldn’t be able to live our lives. Should I wear the black dress or the blue one? The leopard print flats or red heels? Cereal or toast? Herbal or black tea? Wine or Cider? Chocolate or Crisps? All those are questions you can probably answer without giving them much thought. Sure, they may be answered differently depending on the day, the time, the mood you are in.

But what about those difficult decisions? Those that require thought and appear, not matter how we twist and turn things, to never quite lead to what we want? 

The Baking Experiment Presents: Blackberry Sourecream Octopus Cupcakes

Last week was my final week at my old job with my lovely boss and colleagues. I distinctly remember my boss telling me about the Octopus cake the last leaver baked in my interview. So I knew I had some big shoes to fill, particularly with the reputation of 'Cupcake Queen' in the office.

The LFW Diaries: Day 1 & 2

I am currently at London Fashion Week working for XO Magazine and love it. It is mental, it is manic and I am shattered after only 2 days but it has been worth it. You can read all my blogs and watch the shows on the site. Its been such a pleasure working with the team and doing LFW this season has just made me want to do more.