age is just a number...

(image via blondesandbeach)

I'm sure I'll come round to this way of thinking, in fact most of the time I do, however, there are certain times I have issues with age. For example, I can safely say that when I'm asked if I'm at college by people 5 years younger than me really irritates me. I'm fine if people think I'm younger than I am, but 5 years younger is pushing it (remind of this when I hit 30, please!). I live with my boyfriend, finished university with a good degree and have a full time job. All that and I can legally buy alcohol! So while I'm sit drinking my wine, in my flat all paid for with my wages I'll think how good it is to be older and relish in the fact that I don't have to go back to school or university in the next couple weeks!

happy birthday

I had a fantastic birthday; I am not a huge birthday fan, but this one turn out better than I thought. As, you may have already read, my mum came up and treated me all weekend. On the evening of my birthday I headed out with a group of friends and my boyfriend and we went food and drinks in Richmond. There was a lot of food and even more drink. I think my friend and I finally fell asleep on the sofa around 4am. Not bad going, now that I've hit 2-1!! It was a fabulous evening. I have some amazing friends, fantastic mum and a brilliant boyfriend, and they have helped make my birthday extra special.

lady in red

(tunic and cardigan- Dorothy Perkins, shorts- H&M, pumps- Primark)

For my birthday my mum took me into central London and we did a bit of shopping. There wasn't much out there but I did get a beautiful pair of boots from Aldo from my dad. They are lovely and so comfy.

My mum had also planned a surprise for me; I had no idea what it was. She took me to the National Portrait Gallery's top floor restaurant for afternoon tea; it was so fancy. I wore a red tunic (with shorts) and a little grey cardi with some basic ballet pumps. It was fancy but not over the top to wear around London, shopping.
Afternoon tea was so nice it was so filling-there was just so much! It was all so little and quaint. It was such a nice thing to do; I've never had afternoon tea before. We had a window seat and we could see out over the Trafalgar Square, House of Commons and the London Eye. As we were about to leave the staff came out with a plate of handmade truffles and Happy Birthday piped onto the plate. It was such a nice touch that either my mum and I were expecting. It was such a simple, chilled out day, with such a special touch from my mum.

Today, is my actual birthday, twenty-one! I opened some amazing presents, had to say goodbye to my mum and now get ready for a night out with Alex and my friends. I finally found a dress to wear and I found the perfect red lipstick while I was out shopping with my mum.

time for tea

It's my 21st on Monday and my mum is up for the weekend to help start off the birthday celebrations. So yesterday, an hour before she arrived, I thought it would be perfect to bake and ice a load of cupcakes to welcome her. I managed to do it within that hour and they turned out pretty nice. I also got to use my cupcake stand for the first time since I got it at Christmas.

Strawberry Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes:
100g Butter or marg
100g caster sugar
100g self raising flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
Strawberries cut into quarters

Icing:
75g butter (at room temp)
175g icing sugar
A splash of milk
Food Colouring

Method

1.Preheat your oven to 180c
2.Mix the butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3.Add the eggs, one at a time.
4.Add flour and strawberries and bring together.
5.Place in cases and bake until golden brown.
6.For the icing, place all ingredients in a bowl and bring together.
7.Once cooked, let the cupcakes cool and then proceed to ice and decorate however you fancy!

21 things to do...

I recently came across a blog where the blogger wrote a birthday list every year for her to work through every year. I thought this was a really good idea and...I love lists!
My list might not be the most out there but for me, it's things I really want to do and I'm hoping I can achieve them, ready for next years list.

on a quest...

Oh how I wanted this to be my birthday dress. It's so pretty but I was disappointed when I tried it on. I suppose the search continues.