BAKING AND GAMING COMBINED

I feel I have share this with the world. I MADE MINECRAFT CUPCAKES! 

I made these for Valentines day as a less cliche/cheesy and more imaginative gift for the other half. According to more experienced bakers' recipes, these creatures are very hard to make but thanks to eBay i was able to achieve it more reasonably using Minecraft Cake Toppers! 

FIRST STEP: Purchase Minecraft cake toppers (and any other ingredients) 

Next step, pre-heat oven to 180/gas4 and put cake cases in your cake/muffin tin

I used a basic recipe for the plain cakes (for the piggies and creepers)

110g/4oz butter of softened margarine 

110g/40z caster sugar

110g/4oz self raising flour

2 medium eggs

1tsp vanilla extract

2tbsp milk

I used an all in one method to mix all of the ingredients then used a hand mixer to make sure the mixture was free of lumps. I spooned the ingredients into the cases and baked for 20-24 minuted until the tops were springy. I took them out and left them to cool on a rack.

I then re-made the mixture, but substituted 1oz of flour for 1oz of cocoa, making the mixture chocolate. I repeated the steps until I had chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. 

Now the fun begins!

I used butter cream for the frosting. I followed the recipe on the back of the icing sugar box to create the butter cream but I added cocoa for the chocolate cakes (cows). Before adding the butter cream to the cakes, I smeared a small amount of strawberry jam to the top of the cakes, then layered on the butter cream, sticking the cut-out rice toppers whilst still wet.

For the creepers I made a new batch of butter cream, instead adding green food-colouring  and following the same as before.

And you can guess, for the piggies, I used pink colouring in a new batch. 

They are time consuming but totally worth it and they went down a TREAT! 

And the finished result!

Enjoy!

Next Gen Consoles?

Okay. I have been hearing more and more talk recently about the announcement of next gen consoles. I think this is wayyyy too soon! I have never been a Microsoft kinda girl, so I will comment on what I know, which is Playstation.

Put it into perspective:
The Atari 2600's life span was 15 years, the PlayStation 2's was 13 years and 7 years for PlayStation 3 is way overdue?

As it stands, there has not been much of an improvement in gaming and technology within the past 7 years as there was between the PS2 and the PS3. Also take into account the amount of upgrades the PS3 has had. There has been 14 different variations of PlayStation 3 released within those 7 years. Upgrading hard-drive space each time, making them more advanced and even chopping the fat, so to speak. Technically, we've had a brand new PS3 console only 6 months ago: the 500GB 'Super Slim' console, available in 3 different colours.

When the Playstation 3 came out, it was a revolution; advancement in graphics to HD 780p definition, bluray compatibility, downloads making it 3D compatible, a new 'Sixaxis' feature control system, USB ports, easier and free online mode, network settings, PlayStation's own virtual 3D programme, trophies, catch-up TV, music, downloadable games, themes, trailers etc. The list goes on. If 3D gaming is the next big thing, Playtations Firmware update 3.30 allows this compatibility. What more is there to add that will be worth paying £500+ for?
More to the point, will Sony even be making a profit?

GIRLY OR SOPHISTICATED?

Just a quick update, I was just on Topshop's website (unusual for me) looking at dresses.
The reason for this being that I fancied one of those pretty black skater dresses that seemingly go with everything. Just one problem, I don't think those girly frills suit my figure. Not in the way that I have a masculine frame, just that flicky-out-fabrics (great terminology!) don't fit well with me.
(not to say they're not classy) But I prefer classy tight bodycon/figure hugging midi dresses as they reveal more shape. I think it's much classier to have a dress that covers your whole body, but teases by showing your silhouette, than having a dress that's showing a bit of leg.

Also, I will take the time to request ALL women to follow the rule. 

Boobs OR legs. 

Not both.

If you have major cleavage, cover your legs.

If you're wearing a belt, cover your boobs. 

Simple.