Reasons To Learn A Musical Instrument

I've been playing my viola for the past 10 years and I honestly can't remember what my life was like before music. Music is my favourite relaxation activity and I love nothing more than sitting down at my piano and learning new classical melodies.

I've played in an orchestra since I was 9 years old. My local council runs massive orchestras for any pupil receiving instrumental tuition and I have gone through the ranks to make it to the local Youth Orchestra. Orchestra is where I've made most of my friends as no one else quite understands that music comes before everything else.

My musical friends are the most understanding people I've ever met. Music has kept them grounded and sensible!! I only know very few musicians that fit the stereotypical 'snotty child prodigy' and even then they can be quite nice when it suits them!!

Through playing in the Orchestra I've also been on the annual residential. A week away learning new music to perform at a concert at the end of the week. A whole concert worth of music learnt in a week requires around 5-6 hours of music a day per band. Quite a lot of my friends are in 2 or 3 bands, resulting in 10-12 hours of music a day!!

By going away to a music residential from the age of 9 I am more independent as a result. I know that when I am at university I won't get homesick as I'm used to being away from my parents. I also don't panic when it comes to sharing a little personal space and bathrooms as I'm sure you can imagine 12 girls in a dorm room can be quite a squeeze.

Learning a musical instrument also gives you more self confidence. Although it's hard to get used to constant solos, duos, quartets and orchestra performances I can assure you that every time it gets easier. I love performing with my friends on stage and although I never see myself as Scotland's next Nicola Benedetti I can still go out and perform to enjoy it.

I hope if you are ever given the opportunity to learn music you grab it with both hands. It is the most worthwhile decision I've ever made and has led to some amazing memories.

Teen Tips: Exam Guide

Like them or loathe them exams are one of the most stressful issues that a teenager will face. Exams affect people in many different ways so it's important to have a calm and relaxed attitude when discussing this topic. I will be talking you through my guide on dealing with exams and the added stress that comes with it. If you would like to read my post on Coping With Stress it is in the label 'Teen Tips'. Check it out!

The pressure of exams can affect people differently and many friends fall out during these times because they don't understand why the other isn't as nervous and doesn't need to study as much.

1) Stay Calm
As crazy as exams can be the most important rule anyone can have is to stay calm and keep focused. There is no point worrying about something which you cannot change as you are wasting energy that could be used during the exam.

2) It's Okay To Study More Than Others And Admit It
"I've not studied" is a common lie and do not be fooled by it! Having said that, some people can study very little and still come away with a high A whereas others can study lots and only achieve an average C. Me and my best friend are a prime example! She studies as little as possible but still has the highest grades in our year whereas I have to study quite a lot to actually understand and remember it to achieve B's and C's.

3) Use Different Methods To Revise
Some people are kinetic learners whilst others can sit in front of a textbook and memorise it. However you learn can be completely different to everyone else you know but that's okay! Sometimes using colourful mindmaps instead of black and white lists can make it so much easier to learn and vice versa!

4) Use Your Time Effectively
One of the worst things to do when studying is procrastinating. To do well you need to put the work in beforehand. If you struggle to keep focused then I'd recommend setting small goals such as doing a chapter of Biology then getting to watch Netflix or finishing a past paper then getting to bake cupcakes.

5) Start Early
My mum always makes me get up like it's a schoolday when I'm off studying. That way I'm still in the habit of school hours. It also means I get to relax in the evening. On weekends I will wake up an hour or so later than normal and then get ready and study then so I have the afternoon to myself. It makes my life easier and happier - two essentials during busy times!

6) Plan Your Studies
Study Plans!!! 8 columns and 4 rows. Along the top row leave the first one blank then write the days of the week. Down the first column leave the first box blank and write Morning, Afternoon, Evening. Then cross out the slots where you have plans like work or going out with friends. Then fill the rest in with subjects. Don't be overambitious - doing Chemistry all day is tough on your brain and you won't learn as much. Aim for 3 different large chunks of different subjects or 6 little bites of different subjects.

7) Be Open-Minded
It is quite common to fall out with friends when you are stressed and disagree on something. If your friend isn't studying and you are then you might feel annoyed that she's wasting her time but don't confront her. It's not your responsibility and as much as you want her to do well if she isn't putting effort in then she'll have to learn the hard way.

8)Eat Well, Sleep Lots
You can't learn if you are (i) Hungry or (ii) Tired. It's worth taking an extra slice of toast or an extra 30 mins in bed if it will help your studying. Just make up the time out of your relaxation slots. Make sure you eat healthily too so your brain has plenty of energy to store the golden nuggets of information to get you 100%!

I understand many of you will be taking exams in the next coming months so I wish you the very best of luck and remember to put the effort in!!

Solar Partial Eclipse!!!

My inner science geek was alive and well today as I got to see a partial solar eclipse over Scotland!!!!

For those of you who don't know about them I will explain! There is 1 eclipse every 18 months however only 1 year in 375 years will you see the eclipse in the same spot. This is because the 'perfect' shadow (known as the umbral shadow) covers less than 1% of the Earth - making it incredibly difficult to see one.

From my Biology teachers camera around 20mins before peak.

The eclipse I saw today was a 96% eclipse which is why on my photos you can see a crescent shape. I found it really exciting as it is predicted the next eclipse in my area with the same coverage would be in 2093! Even better my whole school had came in with wielding masks or 'pinhole cameras' (2 pieces of paper and one has a hole in it to reflect the sun onto the other piece) to watch so it was a really good atmosphere. Teachers had brought in cameras and were taking photos to stitch into a video too so they had a memento of the occasion.

Using 'Pinhole Cameras' to view the eclipse

All around Scotland there was a real buzz about the eclipse and I wanted to be part of it! I think it's really cool watching something that humans can't change. Nowadays more than ever we can change most aspects of our life however the eclipse is a phenomenon which remains as before.

If you ever have the opportunity to see a partial or even a total eclipse then please do! Although the hype for some was completely anti-climatic I still think it's an amazing thing to talk about and the chances of seeing it again is slim!

Top 5 Thursday: Teen Novels

Forget tbt, Top 5 Thursday is what it is all about and today it is Top 5 Books.

Reading is my favourite relaxation activity and I always read something before I go to sleep. Today I am recommending 5 books that I have read and reread and reread again!

1) The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
I love Green's take on teenage cancer. As a teen with an increased chance of cancer I found that the realistic view on the horrible disease quite comforting. Too often is the story "child gets sick child gets miraculously better" told.Greens new angle on cancer recovery is so heartfelt and so realistic it's hard not to get hooked in!

2) The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
No spoilers! Chbosky has an incredible take on problematic situations for 'wallflower' Charlie after his close friend commits suicide. I found the book quite confusing on my first read and it's not until the last chapter until everything makes sense. After that its a must to reread and pick up all the clues given to the reader that we've brushed over.

3) The Divergent Trilogy - Veronica Roth
Who doesn't love a trilogy!? I've read and reread this brilliant series. It combines love with adventure and unlike "The Hunger Games" -which by the third book I became tired of Katniss' love struggles- I became enthralled by Tris' strength and courage to battle on regardless. They are currently being made into movies so read up, buy the first one and watch for the second one  - released this month.

4) Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
I'm seeing a trend in my favourite books. In this book thirteen reasons why Hannah committed suicide are on thirteen sides of tapes and sent to those thirteen people who are behind the thirteen reasons. This book tells Clay's side of the story from when he receives the tapes to when he sends them on. An uncanny realistic plot which I really enjoyed reading.

5) Looking For Alaska - John Green
So it's the same author as number 1 in my Top 5 Thursday but with a completely different plot which wraps me in every time! It tells the twisted story of a young boy in his first year in boarding school and trying to work out a mystery with his new friends. It is really worth a read if you haven't already and it's also meant to become a movie soon!

And that is my first T5T! I hope you really enjoyed reading this. I'm hoping to make this a regular feature of my blog so watch this space and I'll see you next time!

Making an Engagement Cake!

Engagement Parties are so much fun but they're even better with a cake! For my final project in Cake class I am doing an Engagement cake for some family friends who got engaged last week!! I really wanted to share this with you - I am very proud of myself!

The Serious Bit
I am making an 8 inch square one-tiered rich fruit cake and coating it with marzipan and sugar paste. It will be on a 10 inch round cake board which is left silver.

The cake itself will be decorated with pastel pink royal icing flowers stencilled around the edges of the top of the cake. In the top right hand corner I will be using sugar paste to make a rose bush out of many different hues of pink and  I will be adding green leaves to make it more realistic. On a diagonal underneath the rose bush I will be piping 'Congratulations' in curly writing using the pink royal icing (to match the stencilled flowers). I will also be putting two golden fondant rings underneath the congratulations.

Around the sides I will be stencilling the pastel pink royal icing flowers that are around the edge of the top of the cake.

Now the serious part is out of the way it's time to get baking!

The Recipe
875g Mixed Dried Fruit
90g Glace Cherries (quartered)
40ml Brandy (optional)
200g Butter
200g Muscovado Sugar
3 eggs
250g Plain Flour
7.5ml Mixed Spice
45g Blanched Almonds (optional)

Method

(1) Mix together the dried fruit, chopped cherries and brandy. Leave to soak for several hours.
(2) Preheat oven to Gas Mark 1/ 140 Celsius
(3) Beat together the sugar and the butter then gradually add the eggs and the flour.
(4) Using a VERY large bowl add the fruit mix, mixed spice and almonds.
(5) Spoon into an 8" Round / 7" Square Tin and make a slight dip in the centre. Tap the tin against the work surface to remove any air trapped. Remember to wrap your tin with newspaper and put greaseproof paper over the top.
(6) Bake for 3 hours. When baked the skewer comes out clean.
(7) Once baked remove from tin and wrap in plastic.


(8) Turn the cake upside down and fill any holes in marzipan. This ensures that the fondant and marzipan will be smooth.
(9) Cover your cake in marzipan and then fondant. Use caster sugar to roll your marzipan out and apricot jam to stick it onto the cake. Use cornflour to roll out the fondant and use heated water to stick it to the marzipan.


(10) Make the royal icing using 200g Icing Sugar and 34ml Egg White Powder mixed in with a tiny bit of water. Use an extremely small amount of pink food dye to colour the icing light pink.
(11) Using a flower stencil, smooth a small amount of royal icing onto the stencil then peel the stencil off the cake. Continue around and on the sides.
(12) With the leftover royal icing stick it all in a piping bag with a small round nozzle and leave it in the fridge.
(13) With fondant (1 large box does the whole cake) take a bit and dye it green. With leaf cutters cut 6 leaves and with heated water stick it onto the cake. Try to stick them in the corner with 2/3 of the leaves "falling" over the side.
(14) Make the rose bush using 4 different colours of pink fondant. This takes great patience and I recommend watching YouTube videos beforehand. I made around 20 roses for my bush.
(15) Use a pinch of fondant for the rings and dye it yellow-gold. I used gold glitter on top to give it a sparkle.
(16) Get the royal icing out of the fridge and pipe "Congratulations" (spell it correctly!).

AND IT IS FINISHED!

Send me in your recreations and I'll see you next time!

Teen Tips: Getting A Job

Don't get me wrong, school and college/university is very important. However to get through it you do need money and that will only come from work (and parents if you're lucky). Here is my guide on how to get a job!

Rule 1: Don't Be Picky!
When I was looking for a job I went through all the retail stores on my local high street searching for jobs. No where else. This led to a year and a half of unemployment and begging my parents for £5 bus money which was meant to last me the week. So my first rule is do not be picky with where you apply.

Rule 2: Get Volunteering Experience.
It sounds so dull, doing paid work but not getting paid. What a waste of time, right? WRONG! Doing volunteering gives you experience in a working environment which is what employers are looking for. Depending where you volunteer depends on what other experience you get. The most common is charity shops and youth groups which give you people skills. Being able to communicate and listen and work in a group AND as an individual are major skills that employers are looking for! Any basic part time job requires these skills - waitressing, retail, bar work - think about it.

You can also get special awards for volunteering. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has a whole section just on volunteering. In Scotland, we have a programme called 'Saltire Award' which give you awards for volunteering 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours. Having one of these shows commitment and motivation to succeed.

Rule 3: Write a CV
What an obvious rule but it can actually be forgotten! There are plenty of CV Builders online and by using one will make your life a lot easier! If you are in Scotland I recommend using My World of Work as it has an amazing and easy CV Builder with a lot of tips as well.

If you are writing one from scratch then I recommend putting in your strengths, achievements, interests as well as all your grades and employment history (which includes volunteering).

Rule 4: Don't be afraid!
When I decided I wanted to get a job I was actually kind of scared to tell my parents what I was doing! It sounds so crazy but I was afraid that they didn't want me to work as well as go to school. If you are in a similar situation then I beg you please talk about it at the dinner table, maybe about 'a friend who just got a job' and see your parents reactions. This usually can go two ways - 1) they start suggesting about looking for a job or 2) they have an hour lecture at you on how it's not worth it. If you end up in scenario 2 I'm very sorry but please don't give up!

Rule 5: Ask friends to put in a good word.
It sounds like cheating but that is exactly how I got my first job! In places like TESCO (a UK supermarket chain) it's common knowledge that you're most likely to get the job if you know someone that already works in TESCO. It's also comforting knowing someone at a workplace if you do get the job.

Rule 6: Talk to people.
If you get an interview remember to be polite and ask questions! If you're in a group interview then chat to the group before you go in and get to know them. If the employer comes out and sees people talking it will show them that you are comfortable in a new environment and puts you at an advantage. If you have a trail shift then make sure you ask questions if you are unsure about anything and you are always polite when talking to other staff.

That is my guide for getting a job. I hope you learnt something from my experience and the only other thing I can say to you is good luck and I'll see you next time!

My Make-Up Cheats Part 2

Welcome back to Part 2 of my Make-Up Cheats. In Part 1 we covered Toner, Foundation, Concealer, Powder and Eyebrows. If you missed it here is the link to check it out - Make-Up Cheats Part 1 . Today I'm talking about Blusher, Contouring, Eye shadow, Eyeliner, Mascara, Lipstick and Brushes.

6) Blusher
I love everything about blusher. It can make or break a look so knowing which brand and hue is right for you is really important. Although I can't help you with picking a hue I can help you with brands. My first recommendation is L'Oreal Le Blush True Match. When applied it goes on smoothly. Having spoken to many people who have used this product they have agreed that all the hues are amazing!

Boots: £7.69 Superdrug: £7.65

Another product which I adore is MaxFactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush. It is so soft and light to apply. Some of the hues are a little too bold for me personally but it is one to look at if you have more tanned skin.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

 

7) Contouring
I only usually contour my face on nights out but I always have a small contour kit in my daily makeup bag. I use Seventeen Define and Contour Kit. It comes in two shades - light and medium - which is okay but I don't see much difference between them. It comes with a little contour guide which is really helpful for first-time contours. Nevertheless it does it's job well and that is why I'm recommending it to you.

Boots: £5.99 Superdrug: n/a

 

8) Eye shadow
We've all gone through the terrible bold colour eye shadows which we'd like to forget. For me this meant leaving eye shadow out of my daily routine. However eye shadow is very important for the tone of your face. Rimmel Glam Eyes Quad Eye shadow does a beautiful combination of colours in one palette. You can use three tones to create a 'smoky' eye effect or stick to one hue. Whatever you decide suits you best it's a great quad to have.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

Another really good palette to own is Maybelline Big Eyes Eye shadow. I think it is equally as good as Rimmel however the colours in each palette aren't always the ones I'm looking for. As I keep my make-up more neutral I find some hues are a bit too bold for me but if you do like the stronger look I'd definitely recommend this.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

 

9) Eyeliner
Who doesn't love a good winged eyeliner!? Whether its a thin sweep of the brush or a thicker curve it defines a persons look. I like using Bourjois Liner Princeau Eyeliner as it gives a medium 'lick' of eyeliner and looks good during the day and at night. As a eyeliner rookie I liked how easy to hold it was and I felt comfortable moving it to create a straight pattern.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

 

10) Mascara
Unfortunately most decent mascara comes at a heavier price. Rimmel London Wonder'full Mascara is one of the cheapest that still do a good job of lengthening and volumising lashes. It does get a bit clumpy nearer the end of it's lifespan but if you can live with that then I thoroughly recommend it to you.

Boots: £7.99 Superdrug: £7.99

Coming in a bit more pricey is MaxFactor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara. However it lasts me daily around 4-6 months! It does what it says and defies ALL CLUMPS and lengthens your lashes as well. It is well worth the buy.

Boots: £10.99 Superdrug: £10.99

 

11) Lipstick
I'm not a fan of lipstick myself so I've had to rely on the knowledge of my friends for this. They recommended Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick. It lasted most of the day and stayed true to it's word and was matte. Kate Moss has a Comic Relief lipstick out currently raising money for children in Africa and UK - a worthy cause from a worthy lipstick.

Boots: £5.49 Superdrug: £5.49

Another lipstick mentioned was Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick (my friends are obviously in love with the matte look currently). It was very similar to Rimmel the only difference was they preferred the click of the lid to the tube on this one! (Trust them!) However they did also say it lasts longer and it's more of a weekend lipstick than a daily one. Why don't you try it and tell me what it's like?

Boots: £7.49 Superdrug: £7.49

 

12) Brushes

I don't think I can describe how much I love brushes! Oh my days! I only have one recommendation for brushes as I think they are the best of the best. Real Techniques Core Collection is absolutely amazing! It has a buffing brush, detailing brush, contouring brush and a pointed foundation brush - the essentials. It's a great save to buy them in a pack and I stress to everyone to use brushes instead of your hands as it's more hygienic. This set really helps, kick-starting those of us still unsure about brushes. Save up and buy them, they are really worth it!!

Boots: £21.99 Superdrug: £20.99

 

And that is it! The end of my make-up cheats. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my experience with products and you will try some of them in the near future! I've really enjoyed sharing this and I hope you read some of my other posts! I'll see you next time!

My Make-up Cheats Part 1

We've all been there, standing at a make-up counter counting up our pennies because 'it's the only concealer that works' and 'it's only £20'. Well ladies I am here to tell you different. Through my teenage years of experimenting I have created a list of make-up items which do the same (and maybe better) as all the expensive brands.

1) Toner
An unspoken essential which is extremely cheap. All you have to do is drink a litre of water each day and your skin will be glowing. Maintaining a healthy diet is good too as your skin needs nutrients from your food. I have been doing this for years and I've had barely any spots as a result.

2) Foundation
Well not quite. I find that using BB or CC cream instead of Foundation enhances the skin and gives it the love it deserves. The only disadvantage would be that it is quite thin however in summer that is what I'm looking for in my foundation. I use Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream.

Boots: £7.99 Superdrug: £7.99

 

If you aren't a fan of BB Cream or you have had a reaction to it then I also recommend Rimmel Match Perfect Foundation. I used it for a long time before the discovery of BB Cream and I feel it gives full coverage and doesn't fade away quickly, making it perfect for school or work.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

 

3) Concealer

Concealer can be used for many different things - from hiding black circles around eyes to covering spots. I've been around every counter and only ever found two that work for me. The first one is Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. It is great for covering up the underneath of your eyes and the sides of your nose (these are my problem areas).

 Boots: £4.19 Superdrug: £4.19

 

It's not so good for spots though which is why I turn to Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. It doesn't cover my eyes very well but its spot coverage is absolutely amazing!

 Boots: £5.49 Superdrug: £5.49

 

4) Powder

Powder is my favourite part of my make-up routine. I like my powder to be light but stop my forehead and nose shining. I've been using Revlon Nearly Naked Powder for about a year but I've also been switching it up using a powder I featured in my Glasgow Shopping Haul post. I prefer Revlon's powder as it lasts me about 3 months daily wear.

 

Boots: £7.99 Superdrug: £7.99

 



My other powder is L'Oreal True Match Powder which is slightly heavier than Revlon but gives a really good base for contouring. I wear this one when I'm going out or if there is a fancy night at my work. It is long-lasting and lasts me around 6 months but bear in mind that it isn't daily wear.

Boots: £8.19 Superdrug: £8.19





 

5) Eyebrows

I have only ever used one product for my eyebrows which get threaded every 3 to 6 months. The Body Shop Brow and Liner Kit is a miracle worker! I use it daily and going out, it's perfect! If you haven't tried it then please do! It is pricey at £10 but it is so worth it!

 

 

And that is the end of Part 1. I really hope you try some of the products I've spoken about and Part 2 will be published on Wednesday 25th February. Stay tuned and I'll see you next time!

How to Cope with Stress

Before I start I must make you all aware that I am not an expert in this field. This is purely from my experience.

For any teenager stress is a major part of your life. Whether it's a two page physics investigation due in the next day or a 15,000 word dissertation due in six weeks we have all at some point along the road gone 'eeeeeeeeek!'

Personally, I don't like talking about my feelings with my parents and I bottle things up inside me until they quite literally spill over in the form of tears, and lots of them. Which brings me onto my first point...

1) Its okay to cry!
Yes really, it has been scientifically proven to remove hormones (endorphins leucine-enkaphalin and prolactin) out of your body. By not crying your stress levels actually increase and you are more inclined to develop health issues like high blood pressure or heart problems.

2) Do speak to someone
I've already said I hate talking about my feelings to my parents but when I do get stressed out I go onto a website set up by 'ChildLine'. They are a charity run by professionals who are there anytime you need them. I write down what upset me and how I feel and send it off to one of there councillors who within 24 hours will reply and give guidance on my situations. I love 'ChildLine' and their confidentiality policy makes me trust them not to judge me. If you'd like to look at their amazing website the link is www.childline.org.uk

3) Take a break
It sounds crazy I know but when you are stressed one of the best things to do is to sit back and take a 10 minute break. During exam leave when I had all of my exams in 2 weeks my favourite thing to do was to meditate with an app called 'Headspace'. My school rector introduced me to it and I must confess I am addicted to it! www.headspace.com is an online version of what I used to get me through some of the most stressful points of my academic life. It takes 10 minutes out of your day and talks you through stages of meditation and relaxation. Give it a try and if you fall asleep then it's okay, that's what happens if you are relaxed!

4) Do some exercise
I don't use this often but I keep up an hour and a half dance class once a week to keep fit and take time out from studying. I know my friends go on a run for 10-15 minutes around their block for the same reason. It produces endorphins which make you happy and relaxed and it refocuses your brain.

5) Get some sleep
Those late nights spent with caffeine and an unfinished essay isn't actually worth it. Teenagers need on average 9 hours sleep a night so instead of messaging friends or watching Netflix do homework early and treat yourself afterwards.

6) Set Goals and To-Do Lists
It sounds so basic but at the start of every week and every day take 5 minutes and write a list of what needs done this week and then look at that and plan your days from it around pre-planned activities, like gym class or coffee date with your friends. Have a to-do list on your phone so whenever you need to add something on you can.

I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you next time!

Glasgow Shopping Mini-Haul

Whilst I was in Glasgow at the weekend I took to the shops, and I couldn't resist sharing what I bought with you!

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water! I have dry skin as supposed to sensitive but this cleansing water is the only one I've tried which hasn't dried up my skin. It takes all my makeup off in one pad and I have had less blemishes and outbreaks since I started using it once a day.













Simple Eye Make-Up Remover Pads are great! I tend to use Vaseline and cotton wool at home but I always have a packet of these in my wash bag for travelling. They make me eyes feel refreshed and clean and take ALL my mascara off!













Simple Oil balancing Moisturiser is one of the best products for oily skin. However it is also great for preventing forehead and nose shine when I can't be bothered doing my make-up. Its quite a small tube but apart from that I love it so much!

This is a bit of an odd one to put in and I'd like to point out I AM NOT PREGNANT but this cream does wonders for my stretch marked skin from all the growing I've done. (I've been 6 foot 3 for quite some time now) I apply it 3 times a day and it's working wonders! It also smells of chocolate, mmmmmm!

I go away a lot and I am currently using a see-through wash bag which I don't really like that much. When I saw this I just had to buy it, I love anything floral!

I thought I'd buy this as a change to my usual powder, Revlon's 'Nearly Naked'. Recently I've found that my powder isn't lasting as long and is going on heavier than I like it so new powder it is! I've tried L'Oreal Paris' 'True Match' before and I think it suits springtime wear, light and breathable but still giving off a colour. I think it is really important to change around make-up products every so often and get to know what suits your skin, it makes buying new makeup easier if your favourite brand is discontinued.








A trip to a Yankee Candle shop is always a trip worth taking! I have a little jar to put samplers into when I want to burn them and I find it so much cheaper to do that than buy the jars. Previously my favourite candles were 'Christmas Garland' and 'Fireside Treats' but I think 'Vanilla Cupcake' has become joint 2nd place with 'Fireside Treats' as I want to eat it whenever I burn it! I also bought 'Clean Cotton' for my mum because lets face it, who doesn't love the smell of freshly washed clothes in summer? 'Vanilla Chai' was on sale and as I love anything Vanilla it went in my basket! My little sister wanted to get 'Salted Caramel' and I'm so glad she persuaded me as it smells so much nicer burning than it did in the shop!! It's a very strong, sweet smell, which I thought was overpowering but I've fallen in love with it!



And that's it!! I really hope you enjoyed reading this post and I've inspired you to splash your cash or maybe try one of the many things I've spoken about. Thank you for reading and I'll see you next time!

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2015

For anyone who doesn't know 'Strictly Come Dancing' is a British TV Series where celebrities learn to dance Ballroom and Latin dances. They have an annual tour up and down the UK in January-February and this year I was lucky enough to go along for the eighth time!!

The celebrities involved were Simon Webbe from Blue, Rachel Stevens from S Club 7, Rugby player and model Thom Evans (who looks even better in real life than in pictures) , TV Personality Alison Hammond, Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, TOWIE Star Mark Wright and last and certainly not least my favourite TV Presenter Caroline Flack.

The Set

 

 
Before I even begin to describe the amazing atmosphere of Glasgow's SSE Hydro I think I should show you all what the set looked like before the show begun - how magical! Seating thirteen THOUSAND people sounds like an impossible feat for a one-off show let alone one stage of a tour but Strictly Come Dancing did it three nights and one matinee in a row and that was just in Scotland!!

And the band! I'm passionate about music to say the very least but the big band and the singers!! Their talent is to die for!! With the singers standing on the dance floor feet away from the dancers they dressed up in fezzes for Caroline Flack's Charleston (from the themed week 'Around The World') or pretended to swim around the floor for Scott Mills 'crabby' Samba.

The Group Waltz

My favourite part about the live shows are the mass group dances and they were (in the words of Craig Revel Horwood) FAB - U - LOUS! With our three judges Craig, Camilla Dallerup and Tom Chambers who were more than capable of dancing and host Zoe Ball who competed nearly ten years ago they were all dancing and I definitely felt like they were all a family! This photo was from their Waltz (which was to Frozen's 'Let It Go') and had the stunning professional dancer Karen Hauer on silks at the back - it was amazing!

I have to mention our Scot, Thom Evans. He came out in a kilt and waistcoat for his Latin dance and the turns he was doing aswell! I think the front row confirmed he was a true Scot!! Once he'd finished he grabbed Zoe Ball's mic and gave us a rendition of 'O Flower Of Scotland' which we all joined in with - of course. He also took his waistcoat off without hesitation and I can assure you he is one fine specimen of our human race!

Having been so many times I would've thought the atmosphere, the costumes and the tan would all have gotten pretty old but eight years on I'm still loving my 'Strictly' experience and by the reaction of the crowd last night I am not the only one.


Baking Cupcakes!

So today I got to make these delicious Chocolate Cupcakes at school. They tasted so good I had to share the recipe with you!

Ingredients:
For the cake-
100g Butter
100g Sugar
100g Self-Raising Flour
2 eggs
15ml Cocoa Powder

For the core-
15ml Nutella or Chocolate Spread (whatever you prefer)

For the icing-
200g Icing Sugar
50g Butter
10ml Cocoa Powder
(if its dry and thick add a tbsp. of water)

This makes 12 cupcakes or 6 muffins.

Method:
(1) Preheat the oven to 180 Celsius
(2) Mix together all the cake ingredients
(3) Bake for 15-20 minutes
(4) Prepare your icing - cream the Icing Sugar and Butter then add the cocoa powder.
(5) Once your cupcakes are cool use an apple corer to cut a space in the middle of the cake, KEEP THE CUT OUTS!
(6) Fill the space in the cakes with Nutella (or Chocolate Spread) Then put the cut outs back in.
(7) Pipe little rosettes onto the top of your cupcakes then voilà!

How cute do they look! Tell me how they tasted in the comments below, and I'll see you next time!

Hello Everyone!

Hello World, Caroline here and sharing my stories. Nothing serious, nothing sad, just a tall Scottish girl blogging her life.

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