Wednesday 29 October 2014

A Little Scottish Walk


Hello again, how's your day been? I am currently in Scotland, freezing my toes off, visiting my old friends for half term and Halloween. I once again found myself reaching for the camera as I walk around the place, slightly bored. I haven't done a blogpost like this in a while and I feel like one is much due. Enojoyyyy.




Field life












Lots of different photos here, something for everyone, I hope. As I said last post I do actually have a logo in the making but as I am in Scotland at the moment I am finding it hard to finish everything.

Once again much love to all of you.

Octavia xxxxx



















Friday 24 October 2014

Society Today...



I felt like writing a bit of a different blogpost today, so I am going to write about happiness and sadness and being unique. They may seem like very different subjects but there are many links and they broaden over the main topic of today’s blog.


When I set out writing a blog I was looking for adventure but also I was looking to inspire people, and make them think outside the box and I love how people in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can all read my blog even though I am here in Britain so many miles away. That is why I felt like I wanted to write this blog post and put my thoughts out there as I have an audience who will listen.


When people say “are you happy?” generally you will say “yeah I’m good thanks” even if you aren’t happy, so why do we do this rather than telling the people that you are not ok. I’ll tell you why, it’s because in today’s society if you are feeling sad so many people will hate on you saying "Oh you’re doing it for attention or that you need to 'man up'". When in reality, those people need to get over it because if people are preventing you from being happy that’s not going to make you happy, that is going to hurt you. In today’s society people need to learn that it is natural to feel sad and that most people are actually sad all the time, whether it’s a big sad or a little sad.


Some people also have a tendency to say “what are you looking so happy about” are they saying that we aren’t allowed to be happy and that we just have to feel neutral all the time, or that its fine to be happy as long as you don’t show it because that is not correct and is wrong feelings may be inside of you but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them on the outside.

The final thing I would like to talk to you about is being unique, because as people society makes you follow a crowd even if you don’t mean to. You know that top or skirt or even food you bought last Saturday someone influenced you to get it, maybe some people did just see it and fall in love but a majority of people will without knowing it follow your friends. Think of a situation where you say “oh I like this top” but your friend says “nah it’s horrible”. Most people would change their opinion and say “oh yea actually I don’t like it” when that are only saying that to please someone. So why do we do this, why do we copy people and become something we’re not? My guess is because today everything you do you will want to please someone (generally) and when you change your opinion it is to make them happy, but if they are your friend’s they will be happy anyway even if you tell the truth. In life we need to become more like individuals than followers.


My pure inspiration for this blogpost was Jacksgap and Connor Franta, there videos have changed a lot in the past year but now I love how there videos take me to a new place a place I wish existed. This place is amazing because it makes me want to dance to school, draw all over my exercise books and be the unique person I am without society making me a suite of cards.


Thank you for reading. I am currently personalizing my name and background banner so you should see some change soon. I also have a 1,250 word book review would be interested in it or not, let me know how you feel about this topic and what you want to see more or less of on my blog.

Friday 17 October 2014

Apple and Cinnamon Cupcakes



My last baking blog post was a huge success and everyone lurved it, so I thought I would use my expert baking skills (not) to show you how to make yummy autumnal cupcakes, perfect with a good mug of hot chocolate and toasty slippers. I am warning you now I made this recipe up on the spot and when I made them they turned out fine but you never know I may have just got lucky. I have also for people who may not have made cakes before put lots of lovely pictures in to help you, now let’s get baking and enjoyyyyyyyyyy.

You will need:
-for la gâteau (cake in french)-
3 eggs
150g butter
150g flour
150g light brown sugar
3tsp cinnamon
2tsp bicarbonate of soda
-for the fillings:
1 apple
50g caster sugar
3tbsp water




this is the difference between the two sugars just
in case you wanted to know xxx


 Before mixing anything you must preheat your oven to 180°C, line your tray with cupcake cases - not muffin cases like I did because then you can only make six -  but cupcake cases. So now we are all prepped and you have obviously washed your hands and are wearing an apron with your hair tied back ;) ;) we can start.

Put your sugar and butter into a bowl and beat until creamy and fluffy.



 Now add your egg, one at a time, beating well after each egg. It may curdle but just add some flour and it SHOULD turn out fine in the end.


mine was a bit curdled but it turned out fine in the end


La next thing is to sieve in the flour, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda into the bowl and carefully fold it all in. It will now smell very yummy and yummy like a very yummy cake mix.
 
after everything was added it look like this, yummy scrummy

Now add the mixture to the CUPCAKE cases and bake in the oven for 15 mins or until golden brown and not gooey when you stick a skewer in the cupcakes.
 
before I put them in
after I took them out the oven


Now to make to apple purée, to actually put this inside the cake you will need an icing bag but you can always just put it on top xxx. 

First of all cut and peel your apple into little chunks about the size of a conker (*talking to myself* I'm way to autumnal, you can’t measure things in conkers Octavia).
 




 now add the apple sugar and water to the pan and heat on a medium heat until the apple is all squidgy, when you first start it may not seem like enough water but just bear with it, I promise it will work.





 Now either add the apple to the icing bag and pipe it into the cupcakes like shown below, or just put a little dollop on top, either way it will be yummy scrummy.
if your still unsure just comment below and I'll help you xx

I reckon my cakes turned out pretty well, but if you make these I want to see them so send them to me through any of my social media links down the side and maybe even give me a sneaky follow ;) ;) (little bit of self-promo there), I hope you’re having a fab day and will attempt to follow my recipe to make these, but for now I shall leave you with some photos of my creations, loves ya byeeeee xxx