Catch up...

... I know, I know, I've been hidden. Truth be told, it's just been a manic month pour moi. So fill in time is here....

First off, The Boy has got a part in the above! If you haven't guessed yet, he plays a stripper! I'm very much looking forward to his 'routine'! So, this of course means he shall be away for a while. :(

Puppy re-named to Tigger. Lolly just wasn't right, as she's so bouncy, bitey and vocal! She's getting along with Rufus swimmingly, as you can see!

I've decided to give up Mini Eggs until 1st April. So, my Mini Egg monkey has packed his bags, and he's seriously not talking to me. @simonallison23 on twitter keeps drawing these fabulous mini egg moments from my twitter updates, and they're just fabulous! I just wanted to share some of them with you...

How was your February? Cold? Wet? Windy? Can't wait for the sun to shine? Me neither.

Much love,

CG xxx

Naming of the puppy!

Hello dear lovelies!

Now, I must say, this was a HARD decision! Thank you ALL for your wonderful ideas and suggestions, all of which I can say I truly loved. The other half was quite picky with some of the names, didn't want it too girly etc, so it took us ages to come to a decision. He also came up with silly names, like SMASH and MONGLE (Apologies in advance if you own a pet called SMASH or MONGLE). I mean, come on?

Anyway! Her name is..... *drum roll* Lolly, short for Lollipop! Because I helped to give birth to these delightful creatures, a friend suggested naming one after me. However, calling "Laura" would not have been good. Not to mention all the bitch comments. Yes, done it. Ok, that's enough.

So, my mother has always called me Lolly, which transpired into Lollingtons (hence my Twitter name... and for a bit, my Facebook name). So, I thought why not Lolly? The Boy loved it.

HURRAH!!! I hope you all like it... I shall be posting picks of her first few days with us, her first walk..... etc etc. I just really hope Lolly and Rufus get along well! Otherwise, disaster!

Much love...

CG xxx

I love tattoos, but...

Peaches Geldof.

Now, I'm a massive fan of tattoos on girls. One's with a story, with great history, love and passion behind them. I find they make a person more interesting, markings of their life thus far.

There is a line though... That is forever crossed. The thoughtless "I want that one". Picking from the Tattooist's book is another. Or generally a name is a no-no in my book. Same as matching tattoo's. No. No. No. What happens when you break up?

So many youths (I am one, I can say this) get tattoo's willy-nilly (I love that word. Willy-nilly!), without thinking and the more the better, so it seems. You know what I'm getting at here.

Peaches Geldof. Now, she has tattoo's almost as silly as her first name (and probably her many middle names). Why does a girl decide to have a floral pattern all the way up and down her body, which isn't even that great? Oh, and a unicorn. A heart, a broken heart, writing gallore...Yes, perfect sense, right?

The photos here for the new Ultimo range are, just wonderful. Her body, lovely and not skinny. All curvy and real! Bravo Ultimo! The underwear, quite hot and I may even have a little looksie when I next pop by the Ultimo website. Make up is great and quite a good look for Peaches. Her mass of tattoo's ruin it.

We know she comes from a rock and roll family. We know she's quirky looking, has an odd name, and is rather strange (you only had to see her interview with Ferne Cotton to be completely baffled by her).

But dude! You don't need that many tattoo's. You're in your 20's! What happens if you keep getting tattoos at the same rate as you have to date, and you're suddenly 40, and you think, man! I have no space left for a tattoo of my 6th husband?

No. No. No. Ultimo, I'm not sure this makes you a controversial brand by showing her with all these tattoo's either. Infact, it only shows me you endorse this silly tattoo phase.

I just hope the message is: Cool underwear. Cool make up and body. Shame about the tattoos.

It's like Ultimo are trying to be Cyber Dog or something. Anyway...

Is it P.C. ?

Politics. What a big old subject. I'm strong minded when it comes to the 'P' word, I'm generally the person in a social group who likes to debate about it. Yes, annoying huh?

What really gets my goat (there will be many in this post) is how people think they have the right to blame our current party for pretty much everything, and invariably, these finger pointers have never placed their vote in a ballot box. This frustrates me somewhat. I think I actually lost interest in a boyfriend after he told me he never voted, and thought politics was for losers (we're no longer together). My current boyfriend, a.k.a The Boy, has never voted. I will say, he doesn't understand politics, which is fair enough. Still, slightly disappointing that he doesn't want to 'get to know', but anyway...

The real reason that brought me to write this post was this, very large marketing campaign by a certain party.

Seen it? Who hasn't to be honest... The message is a blur to me. Logo for 'change' crap. But bloody hell, is that the wax work of David Cameron? No.... He's looking rather rubbery?

My question is this. Is it politically correct to make yourself look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye in order to attract potential voters? Well?

(apparently, the real David Cameron. The poster and this picture are uncanny, aren't they?)

This just tells me all about all those pesky lines, covered up. A bit like some of their policies.

That is all.

Dear Bangs...

(If anyone who is not on Twitter, this may be confusing. But follow along anyhoo. One of my fave twitterers, Bangs who has a fabulous blog, which will make you howl with laughter (see http://bangsandabun.com for more info). But, she recently had to write rejection letters for a job vacancy at her work. The people applying for the job were, not 'quite right', should we say. I thought it would be most appropriate to piss take.... So, I'm gonna take the piss....)

Dear Bangs,

Ok, so like I think you need to hire me for this job. I'm proper professional, have a bubbly personality, reliable and good at time keeping.
My dream idol is Heidi Montag, and I wanna save up enough money to get DDD's and her arrow eyebrows, they are to DIE for!
More about me, I have every ugg boot, in every colour, and I have a slight obsession with leggings, particuarly the wet look ones, as they do wonders for my cellulite.... I wear my Uggs in accordance to the colours of the rainbow for each day, Monday starting with Mauve naturally....

Things I hate, Musicals, Law & Order SVU, high heels and style.


Previous job experience includes answering my mobile, tidying some receipts and reading heat magazine. I'm a keen photographer too (see my Facebook of me drunk last Saturday...).

I'm available as of yesterday, and I'm available for an interview, but only after Jeremy Kyle. (An example of good time management....) =)



Yours Truly,


Rejected.

mmmmmmm... Mini Eggs!

It's that time of year again. I hate it muchly. There I am, walking around Tescos with good intentions, buying organic everything, lots of veg, yadda yadda...

You see, this is what I hate about supermarkets. When you're trying to be SO good, New year, new silly diet, new thinking... and then they go and put chocolate next to the tuna cans, for example. Just hanging there. It's the same with pork scratchings hanging around the alcohol. We're doomed.

So, I assessed my shopping on the food belt whilst getting ready to pay. I always do. I like to nose around at other people's purchase choices, mentally tell them off for buying cheap barn eggs, or frozen meals. Tsk. Tsk. I looked at my choices, happy with what I was about to buy. Bar one. A rather obese packet of mini eggs was sitting next to some organic eggs and potatoes. Hm. Do I push them aside, like a brave Cake Girl would? Or do I keep them? I'm ill, and need some comfort....

I must have looked like a nutter.

Let's face it, that yellow bag was gonna come home with me and get eaten. I stood no chance.

What was even funnier, is when the mini eggs 'fell' into my trolley, a guy was asking and fighting the same question in his head. I sort of giggled, because I found it reassuring it wasn't just me who was responding to these little eggs.

Anyway.... I'm writing this post, scoffing the packet as I go.... I feel ever so guilty! But hell... I've got to try on a bridesmaid dress tomorrow..... EEEEK!

Gym starts next week.... Until then..... *nom nom nom nom*

(and yes, I've thought about naming the new pooch mini egg..... no.)

Much love,

CG xxx

PS - Have you ever tried 'non' Cadbury's mini eggs? Yeh. Crap aren't they?

Believe in fate? Food for thought...

Silly question I have found myself asking recently.

I know I'm a nutter, adore feeling spiritual, realigning my chakra's, doing Reiki on myself... But man. Fate is strange.

If things seem 'fate-like', does this indicate our life is taking the path pre-determined for us? Does it indicate this is right, pass go, collect £200? Like de-ja-vu.... I feel quite settled when something like this happens.

I'm sure many of us have felt a tad lost, especially around this time of year. What does it all mean? Am I in the right career? Is my partner 'the one'? Shall I cut my hair short? How will I pay off my debt? When will things start making 'sense'? The truth is, there isn't that amazing POW! sign with a golden arrow pointing the way to a rich, fulfilling life. So, why do we believe in fate?

Take 9/11 for an example. Or the tragic bombings in London 5th July. According to certain religions, god determines when people pass over, so how does this work? How can we possibly think an innocent life was cut short because god decided they would be better off on the 'other side'? 

How are you supposed to know when you found the 'one' person who was made for you? Is it a look in their eye that indicates a secret code which creates a reaction within you? My parents for example, were great together, but had different lives they wanted to fulfil, and they parted ways (still good friends). Who is to say when this happens, it was fate or they could see it coming?

Fate unfortunately makes me question every element of my life, the world and everyone in it. I have come to the conclusion life is just a road with hundreds of possibilities, and instead of waiting for signs, I'm going to stab in the dark and go with the flow. Life is for living, learning and making what you will of it. These golden signs tend to only exist when I least expect them to.

Our new unnamed puppy!

This, is our new addition! She will be joining Rufus in February, so until then, we are thinking up groovy names that may suit her! So ladies and gents, this is where you come in. Have a look at these wonderful, gorgeous, drool worthy pictures, and give me some names for this little lady! She is just divine... I cannot wait to introduce her to Rufus... Yay!

 

 

Names I like thus far.... Chloe, Ruby, Maple, Coco, Goji, Misty, Lolly, Lula...

Much love (hope you can help!),

CG xxx

I hate feeling...

...Depressed. It's so bloody annoying. Hits you like boom.

This evil monkey likes to visit me when I'm asleep. There I will be, happily dreaming about puppies, cakes and Paperchase goodies, when evil monkey slips inside my thoughts and invades my purest positive place.

I know when evil monkey has visited. As soon as I wake, my stomach turns, my energy has gone for a long walk and my emotions, heavily messed with.

I've accepted over the past 6 years that sometimes evil monkey comes to stay. I've accepted that sometimes he stays for a while, possibly because my gorgeous, happy thoughts need stamping on, I've also accepted that he will leave at some point, and I don't have much control over when that time is.

So. Evil monkey has arrived. He's here. Poking in my head, upsetting my thoughts and usual balance. My chakras are all out of sync. The sod.

I haven't been able to write a decent post because of this sodding monkey man. So my deepest apologies. I know evil monkey is loving every second.

I know it's the time of year for everyone's evil monkey to pay visit, tease about credit card bills, confidence, those few pounds that slipped on over Christmas. I just have to keep remembering that it will leave soon - Until then, I'm trying my darn hardest to remain positive.

So, my positive moves for the month are:

- Visit the gym as much as physically possible

- Visit the puppy once a week (makes me feel just fabulous)

- Read some really interesting, different books. I want to be able to learn something new from each book, that I wouldn't usually pick up in Waterstones (suggestions firmly welcomed)

- Get my gorgeous wonderful plan on its way to glory

Are you feeling the January Blues? What are your positive steps to feeling better? Let me know!

Much love,

CG xxx

I bring you the most fabulous cheesecake in the world...

We all like pressies. Let's face it, my dream present would be cake. So, when the doorbell rang, I was presented with this polyester box, and wondered what an earth could be inside?

Something cold..... Hmmm. As I opened up the package, a letter fell out from the English Cheesecake Company!

I was completely bouncing off the walls at this point. They had asked me to review one of their gorgeous cheesecakes for my blog. My life, doesn't quite get better than that.

My "Flaked Out" cake came with this wonderful, dribble-inducing description:

"Smooth vanilla cheesecake filled with and topped with creamy flakey milk chocolate and topped with our own decadent dark chocolate fudge sauce."

So out came the camera. And here are some of the pictures....

*napkin/tissue may be required to mop up dribble*

Cake Girls verdict:

I tucked into this as slowly as I could. The vanilla cheese layer was light and fluffy, the chocolate biscuit base was just divine, and the flakes and the dark chocolate fudge sauce is just to die for.

I shared this with several friends (no jokes please, they were real! Not imaginary! I could certainly not have this bad boy to myself!), all of whom have heard of the English Cheesecake Company, but never tried one. They all helped me finish it off, with the occasional "mmmmmm" sound.

I was gobsmacked, this was most certainly the best cheesecake I have ever had. Quite simply, if you're into cake, having a dinner party, (they cater for weddings, may I add), a celebration, English Cheesecake Company are worth a visit. At £26.99 a pop (for the Flaked Out version, prices are according to cake!), that's £2.24 per slice....Bargain! They do smartie cakes, cookies and cream cake , truffle cake, fudge cake.... The list goes on!

Best web discovery for a cake lover! I will most certainly be ordering from them, and who knows? When Cake Girl gets married, I would hope the English Cheesecake Company would do me the pleasure of making a divine masterpiece just for me!

Have you tried English Cheesecake Company? What did you think? What do you think of the pictures? Are they making you hungry for cake right now?

Much love,

CG xxx

New Puppy Pictures!

The Boy and I went to see the puppies today briefly... Gorgeous things! So here are some photos of the delightful pups, including one that I want (think The Boy will now let me!)....

 

 

Enjoy! x

New Year.... New Award!

Hey darlings! Happy New Year! (Let's not talk about NYE - Mine was not great..... Forget Forget Forget!)

Man, I'm so mega chuffed.... A lady only known as *R* has given me my second award! I'm so completely gobsmacked... Thank you! So lovely to know people like my blog enough to give me fun awards...... *dances a little*

Soage! These are the rules to this blog award...

"Post 10 things that make you happy, try to do at least one of them today, link back to the person who awarded you and pass along for up to ten people."

Right. So.... The things that make me truly happy....

1) HAVING ANOTHER PUPPY! (The Boy has just agreed..... YES! *high fives self*)

2) Waking up and having a flat tummy. It rules.

3) Having a really warm bath, candles, possibly Heat magazine...

4) Cake. Has to be chocolate.

5) Having a spenny in Space NK. Oh yes!

6) Paperchase browsing.. and giggling. I love their randomness!

7) Hopefully having a new kitchen. I will take photos. My kitchen is soooo small, my arse just about fits in. And it's falling apart. Literally. #FAIL

8) Candles and Aromatherapy Oils. I'm a trained therapist. I can't help it.

9) Having a really good gym session, really sweaty and high as a kite. Working really hard and seeing results. Best feeling ever.

10) My family and friends. I would not be here without them. X

So, my people who deserve this award:

http://just----a----girl.blogspot.com/ - Lu! Gave me my first award, and is just wonderful...x

http://girlwithglasses143.blogspot.com/ - Girl with Glasses aka JING! Love her blog....x

http://shadesofholly.blogspot.com/ - Holly.... My best friend (in real life..... she's a beautiful person, and works wonders with make up!x)

http://princessboo88.blogspot.com/ - Stacey! Her blog is mega cute! x

http://latinahsweetcheeks.blogspot.com/ - LaDonna - If you're not following, make sure you do. Real cool down to earth chica! x

http://brunette-lady.blogspot.com/ - Lisa-Jane, just recently discovered this lovely lady, and I'm addicted. Keep up the fabulous blog lady! x

Right.... Must go and tidy/bath/think up puppy names...

Much love,

Cake Girl xxx

10 days without a blog post! How selfish of me!

I'm so incredibly sorry my darlings... You know what it's like at Christmas... Can't please everyone 'n' all.

Right, soooo.... Back from a glorious time at my mothers abode in Oxford - Just really relaxed. It was wonderful to see her happier, as she has been so depressed and down (shall not delve into details). I really didn't want to leave. Makes me want to cry a little? I love my mummy!

(Picture of my cat Pickle, who currently resides at my mothers, and Rufus reunited for Christmas - They really do love each other? It's sooooo sweet!)

My granny (Gan Gan, remember from my photos post?) was also with us, and her partner Ben, and it was just ever so lovely, we all played cards, everyone got nicely drunk (I don't drink, remember?) and lots of gifts, food and warm fires just made my Christmas.

The Boy unfortunately was not with me on the actual day of said Christmas, but I had my precious Roofie with me! It was hilarious actually, we took him to the boxing day meet in Chipping Norton, and there was LOADS of female hounds, many of which were on heat. It took me and mummy a long time to realise, until he was humping a hound's leg. Embarrassing. Poor Roofie, it must have been like I dragged him to a strip joint and loads of play money...

Few other things to share.... I stopped an evil man from stealing in HMV today - Was really odd, as they let him go... Done my bit for the greater of good there... PLUS I don't know if I have told you before, but I have IBS, (random change of subject, I know) and I know I'm allergic to a ton of food, and it's just getting worse. So.... I'm thinking about doing a month of being Vegan, if not, just a veggie. Just to see how it effects my body.

I can't be bothered with NY resolutions, because they are set to be broken, (for me anyway) so my goal for the year is to be positive, and healthy. Boring huh!?!?!

How was your Christmas? Whatcha do? Do you have any random resolutions? Let me know! I'm nosey like that....

Much love and dreams to come true for you in 2010,

CG x

Brownies (Gluten-Free)

First blog recipe! This is The Boy's glorious and wonderful sister's recipe, whom has given this to me upon special request! (She's a professional chef.... So I'm deeply flattered!)

I decided to make some Christmas brownies, and had a practice run, but also tested it out on a few of The Boy's friends as they came round for dinner.

For the record, I have an intolerance to gluten, so decided to make gluten-free (which really makes no difference taste wise, it's just easier on the tummy to process and digest - I know the word gluten-free can mean "Urgh, bet that's gross!") but this can be made with normal plain flour.

So, you will need:

280g Butter

500g Sugar

125g Coco Powder (I used Green & Blacks)

200g Chocolate (minimum 70% Coco)

4 Eggies (Organic - I don't agree with Battery Farm eggies)

200g Gluten-Free Flour (or Plain Flour)

1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract

Pre-heat the oven to 170 degrees...You may also require some rather dashing cutters, or you can cut them square.... Dependent on what the occasion is of course!

   

Melt the Butter in the pan on a low heat. Stir slowly!

Pour in the sugar slowly, and then the chocolate in small chunks. (Remember, don't heat too much, because chocolate can overcook and become a horrid consistency and it doesn't taste good at this stage).

 

As soon as the chocolate has fully melted, add in the cocoa powder in slowly. Once mixed in, take off of the heat and leave to cool for 5-10 minutes.

Add the four eggies individually. The consistency will change - Don't worry! It's supposed to look like it has curdled! (see picture below)

Once all the eggies have been added to the mixture, slowly add the flour. Whisk it up nicely, enjoying the yummy whiffs of chocolate! Once completed, the mixture is ready to be popped in its pan or tray. No buttering or grease proof paper required.

Pop it in the oven, and leave for 15-30 minutes. Check on it every 10 minutes, and if you love your brownies really gooey in the middle pull it out at around 15 minutes. If you have made thick brownies in one pan, allow longer just to make sure they are still gooey but not too gooey! Totally personal preference! Once done, your brownie cake should look something like this! Either cut into squares once cool, or use some funky cutters for the WOW factor. Here are some piuctures of how mine turned out.

RESULTS: The Boy's friends adored the brownies, and they went down a treat. Now to give them to some of my special selected few as a little pre-christmas homemade pressie!

Why don't you give them a try? Let me know if you do!

Much love,


Cake Girl xxx