Facing A Fear

Spending three days at a spa was amazing, it was so relaxing and I had the best time but it was also a big deal for me as I faced one of my biggest fears. Wearing a swimsuit for three days was one of the hardest things Ive ever had to do as I struggle with body dysmorphia, when I look at my body all I see is flaws. Body dysmorphia is something I have struggled with for four years and most of the time I just get on with it and try to stop myself worrying about it, however wearing a swimsuit its a little more difficult to do that. I knew I wanted to just get on with it and enjoy the spa, it definitely helped me to start excepting my body and my figure, I fully figured out what parts of my body I absolutely hate and what parts I don't mind. Going to the gym is a big deal for me as it helps me feel like I am really working on my body and shaping it into how I can feel confident. I know that I will never fully be happy with my body, is anyone? but this year I really want to work on excepting my figure but also work hard at the gym to change my body.

Wyboston Lakes Spa Break

On mums actual birthday we went to Wyboston Lakes Spa and it was incredible! We started the morning at home eating croissants and pain au chocolate and mum opened all her amazing presents! I got her pandora birthstone earrings and a beauty and the beast print (from notonthehightstreet.com). We then headed over to the spa! We ate lunch first which consisted off a two course buffet, I had a bread roll, cheese and sweet chilli chicken and then a mini banoffee pie. We then checked into our rooms and got into our swimsuits and then finally it was time to go an relax in the spa! We spent four hours in the lounging around the pool with a coffee, in the pool, in the steam room, sauna, salty room and ice cave! We also all had a scalp, shoulder and neck massage, which was incredible! Then it was time for dinner and we got all dressed up and headed down to the spa's restaurant. I had a pan-fried chicken with walnuts and plums for starters, a burger with cheese, bacon and fries for mains and finished with a white chocolate and baileys cheesecake! We then had coffees, teas and baileys. We finished the night by going back to the room and playing games like eye spy, we went to bed at midnight! The next morning we went down for a buffet breakfast at 8, I enjoyed a cooked breakfast of a piece of bacon, a sausage, a couple of potatoes and some beans! I also had a mini pot of yoghurt and granola and some green tea! It was then time to go home and I honestly did not want to leave! I had the best time and it was so relaxing, I would definitely recommend to take time to go to a spa or create a homemade spa at home!

Mums 50th Birthday Weekend

Last weekend me and my family went off to Kidderminster to celebrate my mums 50th Birthday. We had all of the family there and it was such a lovely weekend! It took us about two hours to drive there as there was a huge accident, we stopped off at a garden centre on the way to have some lunch! I had a bbq, cheese and sausage panini and it was so delicious, I also had a caramel soya latte! We eventually arrived and checked into our rooms, I had a disaster as my hairspray had leaked and got over everything, but luckily it wasn't anything that couldn't be solved! We then met up with some of our family that had arrived before us in the bar and had some drinks, I had a cup of tea, wild! Once all of our family had arrived it was time to go and get ready for the meal! I wore a floral playsuit with cut out   The meal was absolutely delicious we started off with garlic bread and raisin bread, for starters I then had a duck breast with walnuts and plum. I then had chicken with mash and cabbage and finished off with a chocolate torte with peanut butter cream and a scoop of ferrero Rocher ice cream! A little bit later we had complimentary little treats which included brownie, chocolate fudge  a chewy fruity flapjack! I also had a baileys coffee. We took photos, chatted and just generally enjoyed everyones company. By the end of the night there was only a few of us left in the bar, drinking and chatting the night away! The next morning we all went down for breakfast at 9, I was feeling very hungover but ate a piece of bacon, a sausage, a hash brown, some beans and some fruit which made me feel so much better! We then all went to a park for a family walk and a coffee and then it was time to do the drive home! Once I got home I had to have a piece of mums mint chocolate birthday cake I had made her and it was so tasty, I definitely could have eaten more! It was such a good weekend and I'm so glad mum got to celebrate her birthday with all the family super delicious meal

Ultimate Chocolate Birthday Cake!

I made this cake for my best friends birthday and it was so nice, I used the Tanya Burr Sunday cake recipe for the cake and the hummingbird cream cheese frosting for the icing.I then took inspiration from a cake I saw on Pinterest for the decoration.

Ingredients

Cake                                                 Icing                            Decoration

170g Unsalted Butter                       Unsalted Butter           Malteaser

170g Caster Sugar                            Cream Cheese             White Buttons

140g Self-raising Flour                    Icing Sugar                  Magic Stars

30gCocoa powder                             Cocoa Powder             Fondant Flowers

3 Eggs11/2 Baking powder

1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line two 21cm round cake tins.
2. Start by creaming together the butter and the sugar until it is light and creamy.Then add in the sifted flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Also add in the eggs and mix until combined and fluffy. 
3. Pour the mixture equally between the two tins and bake for        . 
4. Turn the cake out onto a cooling rack and allow to fully cool.
5. To make the butter cream, cream together the butter and the icing sugar until fully combined, slowly add in the cream cheese. Once these are all mixed together add in cocoa powder a little bit at a time, I didn't use an exact measurement for this I just kept adding until  I got the taste I wanted. 
6.  both cakes and place one of a cake board or cake stand, Ice with an even layer, place the second cake one top and ice the top of the cake and all the sides with a thin layer.(for the crumb coat) Then allow to chill.You will know it is done when you touch it and your finger remains clean.
7. Then ice again making this layer neat and smooth. Use an offset spatular to help create a smooth surface. 
8. This is now the time you can go wild and decorate! I found my decorating inspiration on Pinterest and changed some of the chocolate they used for ones my friend would prefer. I used white chocolate buttons, malteasers, magic stars and fondant flowers. I then added some silver glitter all over at the end!
9. Then add candles and celebrate!