Children in Need

As you may already know, Children in Need was on Friday the 13th this year and because I was in placement at a primary school this year, I thought it would be fun to bake some cakes with Pudsey Bear and sprinkles on for the children. 

I didn't have a clue how on earth I was going to make the Pudsey faces, all I knew was that I needed coloured icing and a cutter somehow... 

Well, in the end I had to trace a picture of Pudsey from my computer and then copy it onto a cardboard cut out for me to be able to make my Pudsey Bear faces better. It took forever but there were amazing even if I do say so myself. Proper proud of myself!!! 

I was up until like 2 in the morning making these... I put a lot of effort into them and at least the children all behaved as they knew there was cake on the go hahaha!! Luckily there were a few left over so I got to take the rest home.

 This one was by far my best Pudsey face, I love it!!! 

The best thing about being in placement is that I get to join in with all of the activities the children do to guide and support them even though I'm really enjoying them too hahaha!! 

Halloween we were allowed to dress up as someone from Harry Potter and for Children in Need I dressed up as a super hero and donated to the charity and did my bit... did you do yours?? 

Let me know if you did anything like this for Children in Need, it's such a great cause!! 

Hope you have all had a great week and keep sending you're thoughts and prayers to all the families in Paris, no one should ever have to go through anything like that!! 

Melishia x

Sorrrrryyy

Sorry I haven't posted in a while... I have been feeling quite ill over the past two weeks and I'm getting so much college work to do and hand in now I have to priorities with that at the moment so I will get posts up as and when I can. 

Some of you will know (if you follow me on twitter *hint hint*) that I have had a stressful and bad week last week with a large amount of college work and then on Wednesday night my rabbit Tink passed away. She was more like a dog than a rabbit but we were all really upset and shocked but she wasn't herself and she is out of pain now. 

Then Friday night we had the dreadful news of the attacks in France that literally saddened the world and thinking about everyone at that awful time!! Also, about the other events which happened on the Friday night, thinking and praying for everyone effected by these events. 

(This is my own image took in 2013 from my trip to Paris with my school. Quite proud of this too!!)

But hopefully I will attempt to get two posts up a week, trying my very best!! Thank you all for your support and for you all for reading my blog too!! Appreciate it so much!! 

Melishia x

You know it's Christmas when....

Now Halloween and Bonfire night are over and done with, it is now the countdown to Christmas with a lot of Christmas related things happening which I cannot wait for!!

There are many things that happen from November onwards that make you say "It's Christmas". I know because I do this allll the time!! I have say this at least once a day possibly more...For me there are about 5 things that happen to make me say "It's Christmas!" 

1. When the advert for "I'm a Celebrity" comes on the TV, which was in October, that's one sign to say Christmas is almost here. When the advert came on this year during the XFactor I think I screamed that loud the whole street heard me!! I love I'm a Celeb!!

2. Going through the Town Centre and seeing shops with Christmas related gifts and clothing. I have seen a lot of Christmas jumpers and socks and I reallllly want them all!! Oh, and can't forget the Christmas candles!!

3. This has just recently happened this Friday... the release of the John Lewis advert!! 

I think this is the advert of the beginning of Christmas adverts, once this one has been on, all of the rest follow. If you haven't seen it, you need to!! A tear came to my eye watching it (like always) 

4. When the days start getting shorter and starts getting colder and all you want to do is stay inside with a warm drink and cuddles in front of the TV. The Polar Express has already been on the TV too which got me realllly excited because it's my all time favourite Christmas Film. 

5. And finally, the time you know Christmas is here is with one specific advert... THE COCA COLA ADVERT!!!! Once this advert has been on, that's when Christmas is here!! It was on TV a year ago today during XFactor again, so my eyes will be glued to the TV hoping for it to be on today!!! 

These are some of the things that make me feel so Christmassy and how I know Christmas is not that far away!! I just want to put my Christmas tree up now, is that acceptable yet??? 

Melishia x

October Haul

Last month I didn't really buy much because I am trying to save up for Christmas which is just around the corner... *Excited* 

But I do have a couple of items which I can show you. 

My first two items are hair based products which I have fell in love with!! The VO5 'Give me texture' spray has worked wonders!! I bought this because I was watching Zoella's hair tutorial video and saw that this made her hair stay in longer when it is styled so I had to give this a try. 

Also, because my hair is just so thin, silky and naturally straight, you can't really do anything with it so I have found this is an amazing product which helps a lot and will be on my shopping list for boots each month!! You don't even need a lot on your hair, so hopefully lasts a whole month *fingers crossed* 

The next was the TRESemme Ultimate Hold Hairspray, which also works really well!! This isn't the best hairspray up to now, I still find the Elnett Hairspray works better but that is just my own opinion. I still really like this hairspray though it is a very good product, I just don' think it lasts longer. Give them both a try, see which you think is the best one. 

I have also been loving the hairstyle's Zoella showed on her main channel as a tutorial. I posted a picture of one of the styles on twitter from my first try so I will post it here as well along with the link for Zoella's video for you to try too!! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CACC_A3DxLM 

I find that some perfumes which I own (or my Mam owns) give me headaches from time to time and a headache is not what I want when I'm at college and placement 6 hours a week!! Not good!! So I invested in some Impulse body sprays as I hadn't had them in a while. I got two scents from Boots as there was an offer on. I got 'Into Glamour' and 'Very Very Pink' which smell sooooo good!!! But they don't last long, these two have ran out already :'( 

Lately, I have had quite a few spot breakouts and I can never find a spot treatment that works well. I have tried all the top brands and none of them seem to work, so I gave this one a try and within two days it had cleared up a huge spot on my chin!! It's a great product!!

I have had this hand cream hidden in my bedside table since Christmas last year and hardly ever used it. But my hands are getting very dry being out in the cold so I actually used it and the smell is lovely!! I love Soap&Glory products so much!!

Anddd finally, these two pieces of clothing are to die for. Both from New Look as it may as well be my second home the amount of clothes I buy there. My wardrobe is mainly full of clothes from New Look. 

I bought this top for £9.99 (I think) and the colour is lovely. It is a slight crop top which I am totally not used to wearing at all, so I invested in a pair of black high waisted jeans for £22.99 to go with it. The best thing about shopping in New Look is my student discount! Can not forget that when I'm clothes shopping!! 

These are the only things I had bought and used in October. November won't be as exciting as the only things I am buying are Christmas presents, so this may be the last one until after Christmas when I share with you my Christmas presents!! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and hope you all have a great weekend!! Stay safe with the fireworks and dark nights!! 

Melishia x

Things to do for Christmas

It's the 1st November, we all know what that means... IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!!! *ahhhhhhh* 

As I have said time and time again, Christmas and Winter are my favourite things to look forward to and when it comes to this time of year, I have so much in mind that you could do. So I' going to share these ideas with you so you too can make your Christmas magical and the best it can be!! If you have younger children in the family I'm very sure they will love to all of these too!! 

1. Visit a winter wonderland/Santa's Grotto 

This is just a magical experience in it's self. Tweddle Farm I have just visited in one of my last posts, they do a Winter Wonderland experience with fake snow and reindeer with a Santa's Grotto walk way and it's just magical. Good for the children or big kids too. 

2. Christmas Markets 

Everyone has to love a good Christmas Market!! With all the Christmas smells and all the lights and decorations. It's amazing!! I'm hoping to go to two this year at York and Durham. I know there are plenty happening up and down the country, If there is a one close to you I highly recommend you go!! 

3. Trip to the Panto

Pantomimes are Brilliant!! *oh there not* oh yes they are!! (Sorry I couldn't resit it hahaha)  I haven't been to a Panto in quite a while. The last one I went to see was peter pan and I'm hoping to try and get to another one this year. But it is fun for all the family not just the children. 

4. Cooking Christmas Cookies/Cakes 

This is one activity I am going to be doing very soon!! and there will be a blog post on it obviously!! Ginger bread men, Snowmen marshmallows, reindeer cakes you name it, you could probably make it!! On my Pintrest I have lots of Christmas food related posts pinned go check it out! 

5. Christmas meal out   

One year I went out for a Christmas meal with Friends and Family and the pub we were at had a Christmas sing along it was great!! 

6. Christmas film day/night 

Cuddled up on the sofa in front of the fire, Drinking hot chocolate and eating sweets and Christmas related foods. This would be a perfect night in. Don't forget the Christmas candles!!! 

7. Walks in the snow 

Obviously you can only do this if it actually snows *fingers crossed* Taking a sledge out with you too and building snow men having a snow ball fight. Act like big kids really. 

8. Visit the CocaCola Truck 

When the CocaCola advert comes on the Tv you know Christmas is almost here!! So why not go and visit the CocaCola truck in real life? I did one year and it was great! It tours around the UK and the dates and places are on their website I think. 

9. Making Home made decorations 

Our local Library do this every year. One year I made a wreath for the front door. But it did die because we used real holly and outside things, but it was great fun. We also made little Rudolph decorations which I still have. But you can still do all of this at home, I'm sure there are a lot of activities on Pintrest. 

10. Decorating the house with Christmas colours and smells 

It's always good to be able to decorate your home with Christmas things. Warm colours such as red and golds make it feel so Christmassy and having candles that smell like Christmas too. This is probably one of my favourite things to do. While you're doing this, play some festive songs, it's always a great idea. 

These are my top ten things to do. I could probably think of more when I'm not trying to think of them, if you get me? But I hope this has gave you some ideas of what you could do the lead up to Christmas as now it is just around the corner. 

It can be a stressful time of year but if you don't think about the stressful side and just have fun and make it Christmassy and the stress will go away. I just can't wait for Christmas!!! 

I hope you have all had a great weekend!! 

Melishia x 

Trip to Tweddle Farm

Today I took a trip out with my cousins to Tweddle Farm where I have not been in yearssss!! The last time I was there was when I went up with the Kids Club I was part of at the time to go to Santa's Grotto, and that was when I was 9. I am almost 18. It has changed soooo much!!! But I loved it!! 

I still got to pet the rabbits and of course I couldn't leave them all out...As soon as I stroke one, the whole lot of them in that pen came over and this was the outcome. As you can tell, I love rabbits (and animals).

These rabbits are the ones I realllly want!! Giant rabbits!! They look so cute a cuddly. I think they are probably the size of a puppy if I am honest!!

Now this parrot never shut up. It literally sounded like it was a screaming child at one point and all it wanted you to do was to stroke it's head. If you stopped, it would start squawking again. Later on when we came back, it was having a conversation with another Bird other in the other enclosure shouting "Hello" back and forth. It was also loving the camera.

I always manage to fit Disney into my posts somewhere... I found Cinderella!!! 

The farm is split into different sections, so first we were in the rabbit barn and then we headed over to the baby animal barn which I loved so much!!! I didn't get a picture of the cows though as it kept trying to steal my food I had for the animals... I also liked how they named their baby lambs after the 7 dwarfs too!

Little baby Lama too :)

These pigs would not shut up either. 

Heading out of the baby animal barn we found this picture option moment thing, so me and my cousin Kyle decided to jump in.

This monkey was the cutest little monkey I had ever seen. There were two of them but I think the other one was camera shy.

Literally had a race with these goats all because they wanted the food in my bag for them. They had their own little bridge to get over to the other side too. I loved it!!

Yes Donkey, It is okay for you to constantly lick the fence?

This is me on a Sunday afternoon when I have just ate my Sunday Dinner and I'm too tired to do anything. Hahaha!!

THERE WAS A CHRISTMAS TREE AND I BECAME SOOOO EXCITED!!! 

But when it came to taking the picture I had to delete some photos so I was stood there for a good 5 minutes deciding which photos were the best ones to take a photo of the Christmas tree...

So this was my day out to Tweddle Farm. I love it here so much, it just reminds me of all the times I used to go when I was little and It's changed so much. When I was little I think it had only just opened and wasn't a lot there and now it is much bigger and more animals and different barns to go into. So glad it is still in business!! 

I am an animal lover too so when my Mam said that's where she was going I couldn't say no!! 

Hope you had a lovely day!! Send me your links on twitter :) 

Melishia x 

Follow Friday

It's that time of the week again that I haven't done in a while.... bad me!! But I am back and more organised so lets just get to it shall we and see which 6 bloggers I chose for my Follow Friday this week!! 

Gemma, at Confessions of a Nagging Mother: 

I love, love, loveeee, Gemma's blog!! I love it all because she has a love for Disney and she is so sweet in her blogs all the time and also her blog deserves the recognition. When I'm feeling down this is one blog I would turn to it's just so great!! 

Kathryn, at Chapters of Kat: 

Yessss I have included Kathryn before but her latest blog posts have been amazing!! A one that should certainly be read is her post on World Mental Health Day. I know this is something that is close to her heart and mine too and she puts so much work into her blog. It's well worth the read!! 

Judith, at JudiJen: 

Judith is such a lovely and kind girl and she puts this across into her blog which makes it so friendly to read too!! I know she has been busy with school work lately so If you give her blog a read She has some new posts liker her Autumn walks which I loved!! 

Patience, at Fodreamy: 

When I first opened this blog I thought that it looked amazing!! The design which she used is just like the layout of a computer or an email which I really like the thought of!! Everything she talks about in her blog is so interesting too and I really like it and this blog also deserves more recognition!! 

Kayla, at Dainty Dweeb: 

I have only just recently came across this blog and I have really enjoyed reading her posts!! It feels like you are actually there talking to her or that you have known her for years when reading her blog which is one thing I love about it!! I also really like her latest post about autumn because as you all know I love all Autumn/Winter posts so I obviously love Kayla's too and so will you!! 

Sam, at The Belle Jar blog:

I fell in Love with Sam's blog instantly when I saw the name of her blog and the image that goes along with it because Beauty and The Beast is my all time favourite Disney film and I think I could of "Fangirled" over it hahah!! She is also a lover for Disney and her Autumn post is lovely!! We also have the same scarf hahah Snap!! 

So these are this weeks Follow Friday Bloggers and each and everyone of them work's hard at their blog and really deserve the recognition! I love reading their blogs and I hope you will too!! 

Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!! 

Melishia x

Kevs 18th Birthday!!

Last week was Kev's 18th Birthday which he has been waiting for all year. It's a shame I have to wait until April but hopefully it will fly by!! 

It was such a great night!! We went out for a meal in a hotel on the sea front with his family and I thought it was lovely!! The hotel was lovely too. I had a Chicken Parmo, which is a Northern food and for those who don't know what it is, it is breaded chicken covered in 2 layers of cheese and it is one of my favourite foods ever!!

I know down south, some people haven't even heard of a Chicken Parmo, My cousins husband always has to get one every time they come home to visit. Anyway, I really enjoyed my meal but kev didn't, he doesn't like much food which is weird because I love my food hahaha!!  

And of course, because he was finally 18 he had to go and buy his first pint, which ended up being one of 7. He was soooo funny!! I literally couldn't stop laughing, I'm pretty sure I had to go to the toilet about 3 times I was laughing at him that much. We were leaving the hotel and he got up to leave first and shouted, "Come on Power Rangers, Let's Go!" I was laughing so much it just came from no where hahaha!! And once we got back home he was soon throwing up and me looking after him and putting him to bed. I won't go into details because it was disgusting hahaha!!

On the Friday we didn't do anything apart from sitting in with kev having a hangover and the hangover cure of Mcdonald's to the rescue!! 

Then Saturday, we had a trip to Newcastle to go shopping which is a nightmare on the train because there are never ever any seats as my town is where most people get on the train. I had never been to Newcastle shopping before and it wasn't the best, I think I will stick the the Metro Centre from now on. But it was so busy because me being me I totally forgot the Rugby World Cup was on so everywhere we went was the sound of bagpipes.  

However, I did get some lovely tops from new look which I will add photos in an October Haul because they are in the washing at the minute hahaha!! I did get some good photos as well. 

I took this photo just outside of the Eldon Square Shopping Centre and I thought it was really unusual and I really liked it so why not take a photo? 

Then, we came across this monument of Earl Grey which was surrounded by lots of Rugby Fans but still managed to get a good photo. Also, Is this who Earl Grey tea is named after? It sounds so stupid to ask that but it is a genuine question hahaha!! If you know, let me know!! 

This photo has to be my favourite from that day. This was took on the train back from Newcastle and the train was going pretty fast, as trains do of course, and I was so pleased with myself that this photo turned out to look so good!! This is one of the best photo's I have ever took, but I really can't wait until I get my new camera to take much better quality photos!!

That was my busy week last week and is the reason why I wasn't blogging last week and also because I was ill the week before and beginning of this week too, but I'll be back to normal soon, hopefully!! 

Hope you have had a great weekend!! 

Melishia x

I'M BACKKK :D

I'm backkkk!!

  

I am soooo sorry I haven't posted in a while, I have just been so busy, ill and just not in the right frame of mind to write a good enough post for you all that you will enjoy. But now I am feeling much better and there will be more pots coming your way too!! I may have to do a time table of when I have enough time in the day to be able to write and upload a post so that I can fit everything into the day and not to leave you all without a post for ages!! 

College has just been getting a lot busier and I have started my placement in a primary school now every Thursday and Friday and I am loving it!! But there will still be posts. I am hopefully going to be doing a lot more things as I tend to find myself doing a lot more in the run up to Christmas as it is almost a month away in just a few weeks... EXCITED!!! 

I hope all of you have been okay and thank you to you all for your support on twitter of over the last week and a bit, your comments have been so helpful, Blogging community is the best by far!! So glad I started Blogging and met all of you wonderful people and your blogs. Well done to everyone and expect more posts soon!!

 Have a great weekend!!

Melishia X

Cookies and Cup Cakes

Last Sunday I though I would be creative and bake some cookies and cupcakes, just because I was bored and had nothing else to do... apart from the college work I almost forgot to do... I know some of you were looking forward to this post to know how to make them yourselves!!

Toffee Popcorn Cookies 

225g Soft Butter 

250g Demerara Sugar (brown sugar) 

1 Large Egg 

300g Self Raising Flower 

1/2 tsp Baking Powder 

100g Toffee Popcorn 

100g Dark Chocolate 

Method: 

1. Pre-Heat your oven to 180, fan 160, gas mark 4. 

2. Whisk the butter and sugar together until all combined, then add the egg and whisk together. 

3. Pour in the flour, baking powder and half of the popcorn, then add a pinch of salt and mix together with a wooden spoon. 

4. Split the dough into golf size balls and place them onto a large flat baking tray with baking paper/grease proof paper. Lightly flatten each of the dough balls and press the remaining popcorn into the top of the dough. 

5. Bake the cookies for about 15-20 minutes (but I would check them at about 10 minutes just to be safe). leave the cookies on the tray to cool for 2-3 minutes then transfer them to a cooling rack. 

6. Now, you can melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of boiling water then drizzle it over the top, which I forgot to do...

Princess Cupcakes: 

100g Sugar 

100g Butter 

100g Self Raising Flour 

2 Large Eggs 

1 tsp Vanilla Essence 

Cupcake casings 

Method:

1.Add the sugar and butter into a mixing bowl and whisk them both together until light and fluffy. Then add the two eggs and whisk again until all combined. 

2.Pour in the flour and whisk again until all the mixture is combined and add 1tsp of vanilla essence. 

3.Once all the mixture is combined together, add your cake casings into a pudding tin (I doubled the casings over so the mixture didn't spill out.) Then spoon the mixture equally into each of the cases. 

TIP:Don't fill the cases right to the top, you have got to give them enough room to be able to rise and so they don't spill over the cases. 

4.Place into the oven at around 180(Fan) for around 15-20 minutes. To make sure the cakes are cooked, place a knife into the middle of one of the cakes, if no mixture is left on the knife, they are ready. 

5. Leave to cool on a cooling rack for about 25-30 minutes before decorating. I used the butter icing recipe from the back of the icing sugar box (which I put in the bin so I can't remember the brand but it is in a pink box). 

I used a piping bag to do my icing which you can get from any supermarket I think. Then used some pink and purple sprinkles from home bargains to place on top of my cakes too. The cake boxes were two for 50p from Tesco if you were wondering.

So that is how I made both of these and they were delicious!! I would suggest eating the cookies within 2-3 days of baking them as the popcorn goes a bit dry and soggy after a while, other than that I really enjoyed baking them and eating them hahah!! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and if you bake these send me your pictures I would love to see the end product!! 

Have a great weekend 

Melishia x