Mini Primark Haul...

 

Normally I don't attempt to go to the shops this close to Christmas as I don't like the busy crowds but last weekend I had to work which meant that I got Monday as a day off and I decided to treat myself by going into town and buying a few things. I woke up early on Monday morning and got a bus into town so I was there for when the shops opened at 9am. We have quite a large new Primark but its always MEGA busy whenever I go so I don't get the time to browse and look at the things I want but today the shop was empty and it was lovely being able to go in and look round without tons of people being there. I wasn't in the mood for clothes shopping but I loved being able to look around the accessories stands and I was able to find a few bits. My sister had told me about nail wraps and I was interested to try some out. I managed to find three different kinds, a lacy black pattern, some pink leopard print ones and a cute black flower design. I can't wait to try them! I also picked up a cute set of nail files for just £1. I found some really nice lacy panties in three different colours which were only £4 and some Christmas themed socks which I'm going to wear on Christmas Day! In total it all came to £10! Bargain! Especially as I wanted to keep costs down as we are saving for a holiday.

Have you been to Primark recently? What did you buy?

P.S - Thank-you to islaay.com's tutorial on how to edit blog photos, I would never have been able to make this photo collage if it wasn't for you! x

Pretty Sunrise....

Apologies for my complete lack of posts over the last few weeks....blimey it has been that long! I've been pretty busy at work learning lots of new things and have been pretty knackered and on top of that I've had another cold so have been feeling pretty miserable!

Anyways...I thought I'd show you these lovely photos my husband took yesterday while out for a morning stroll where I live (unfortunately I was at work so I didn't get to see but I thought I'd share them with you anyway as it looked so nice!)

We are lucky to live a few minutes away from the beach and you can see over to the Isle of Wight (not that you can see it through the mist in the photo - but it is there!)

Lulubelle's Cakes...

Today I was lucky enough to be invited to pay a visit to Lulubelle's Cakes, a beautiful boutique cake shop in Canford Cliffs and sample one of their gorgeous cupcakes in a jar!

You definitely can't miss the amazing shop front in all its pink gorgeousness! When I walked in I was greeted by Katie who chatted to me about the different types of cupcakes Lulubelle's makes and the cupcake decorating workshops they offer (I definitely have to get myself booked on one of those!)

The interior of the shop has a lovely vintage feel with a beautiful white stand displaying sweet treats and cupcake boxes. There was also a lovely line of jars containing coloured decorations and cupboards full of beautifully decorated cakes.

Everything in Lulubelle's is freshly made and they take everything they make from the kitchen at the back of the shop through to their workshop area to decorate so you can see the cupcakes being iced and pretty decorations being made.

Lulubelle's standard menu consists of twelve popular flavours named after their favourite people.

In the photo on the second shelf down front row you can see (L-R):

Poppy - which is an almond cupcake topped with jam and vanilla frosting
Savannah - a lemon cupcake with lemon curd and coconut frosting
Esme - a vanilla sponge cupcake topped with pink frosting
Keira - a banana cupcake with a layer of toffee and a vanilla frosting

Bottom row (L-R)

Millie -  a vanilla sponge with vanilla frosting
Ollie - a coffee cupcake with coffee frosting (my favourite!)
Archie - a chocolate cupcake with creamy chocolate frosting

Lulubelle's can send their Cupcakes in a Jar anywhere you want by first class post. All you have to do it chose your cupcake flavour, provide them with the name, address and a message for the lucky person and the date you'd like it posted and they will do the rest!

I tried the "Digby" cupcake which is a rich chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting. Inside, I got a lovely caramel surprise! The cupcake was decorated with a chocolate star on top and was presented in a cute glass jar with a pretty pink ribbon around the outside (I almost didn't want to open it as it looked so pretty!)

When I opened the jar the first thing I noticed was the amazing cupcake smell (the smell of baked goodness!) I made sure I put the spoon all the way down to the bottom so I got the full flavour, the frosting had a lovely texture, it was so creamy and the cupcake with the caramel inside was the perect combination as it was so moist. 

As well as all their amazing regular cupcake flavours, Lulubelles create a series of monthly special cupcakes which all fit a theme, past themes include an ice cream theme throughout August where they showcased cupcakes based on lollies such as Twister and Fab. In September they created cocktail cupcakes including Pina Colada, Bucks Fizz and a cupcake called The Screamer which contained coffee, cream and Baileys (yum!) .

This month the theme is "Like Grandma Used to Make" and they have designed a set of Lemon Meringue Pie, Apple Pie and Custard and Rhubarb Crumble cupcakes (check out the top shelf of my photo of the cupcake cabinet to see the Apple Pie and Custard and Rhubarb Crumble cupcakes!)

Also, keep and eye out for Movember themed chocolate toppers and Christmas themed cupcakes coming soon!

As well as cupcakes, Lulubelle's create bespoke wedding and celebration cakes, take a look at their celebration cake gallery to see what they have designed. The majority of their cakes are bespoke one off pieces and many customers trust Lulubelle's to create a cake that their family/loved ones/friends would love.

Lulubelle's also have Christmas covered with their Christmas preview party on Tuesday November 13th where they will be unveiling their Christmas range of cakes and homebaked treats over a glass of mulled wine!

Check out their Facebook page - Lulubelle's to contact them to arrange to drop in!

I know I'll definitely be visiting again!