My favourites of 2014!

I've made sooo many very cool things this year! 2014 saw the creation of stool socks and apple cosies, you guys went crazy for my stool cosies and slippers, and round cushion covers by far out sold square, who would've thought it?!!

There was the tulip stitch, pom-poms, bows, toadstools, and daisies, bed runners, rea cosies, king size blankets, and lots for babies! It's been awesome and I couldn't have done it without you!!!

Thanks for a fab 2014!

Love,
Ms Bee
xxx

In pictures: October

Well hello there!!

Wasn't October surprisingly cool?! Lots of autumnal walks, hot chocolate - because you have to when it's chilly! - days out in Wells, Clifton and Glastonbury, a late night walk in the woods for charity, a new Batman jumper,  a spontaneous trip to Brighton, Choccywoccydoodah at Halloween (there's pics at the very bottom) and meeting my lovely Facebookland friends Lucy & Bex in the real world!

There were lots of lovely cosy makes too - you lot definitely want to keep your tootsies warm this winter!!

And somehow we're now just weeks away from Christmas... This year's gone way too fast!!!

Happy November lovelies!

Love Ms Bee
xxx

What I'm up to!

Hello lovelies!!

Sorry I've been quiet (blog wise, everywhere else I've been causing my usual havoc!!) I've kind of been sat around doing nothing but also super busy... That doesn't even make sense!!! I've ramped up the day job hunting, its not as fun being sat around on your own once the sunshine's gone! My order book also reopened after a few months of pottering about, so although I've spent a lot of time on my ass in front of the tv, I've made looooooaaaaads of stuff.

So, just so that you don't forget all about me, here's some recent makes and work in progress pics...

How to get rid of sparkly nails

I'm always getting asked how I manage to get every tiny piece of glitter off of my nails... Here's the trick!!

You'll need:
Nail varnish remover
Cotton wool balls
Tin foil
Cuticle oil

1. Cut ten strips of tin foil, at about six inches long by about an inch or so, and cut ten balls of cotton wool in half.

2. Soak a half ball in nail varnish remover, I prefer acetone free as its kinder, press against your nail, and wrap in tin foil.

I do one hand at a time - although you can still fiddle with stuff its almost impossible to wrap the second hand with the first wrapped up, I'm impatient, I've tried!!!

3. Leave for at least five minutes, more like ten if you've got a few coats on there.

4. Slowly wriggle the little packets off of your fingers whilst rubbing at your nail.

5. Most of the nail varnish should have come off, and any odd bits should easily wipe off.

6. Wash your hands thoroughly, my skin around my nails is always really dry afterwards, that's where the cuticle oil comes in!

And Voila!! Glitter free nails with no picking, no nail damage, and no blooming glitter all over your lap!!!

Love
Ms Bee
xxx

In pictures: September

September's my second favorite month, after December ofcourse!

This one seemed really quiet, and before I made my collages I couldn't really think of much that had happened... Turns out I've done quite a lot!!

This month I've been saving my pennies as much as possible - was the first month I had to dip in to my redundancy pay and like to save as much as possible - so I've spent quote a lot of time at home, crocheting (extra pennies!) and hanging out with the family.

I've been to car shows, motorbike meets, wool fairs, and craft fairs, and been for walks in the countryside and the woods. There's been a family wedding vow renewal, job interviews, and a few birthdays... Including mine yesterday!!

Most people go all sentimental and nostalgic at New Year, not me, I do it on my birthday, to me it seems more poinent, more personal, rather than just doing it because society says you should! Today I'm feeling really contemplative. This year's been crazy! My birthday last year wasn't great, there were a couple of glimpses of fun (Willy Wonka day was pretty amazing if you ignore the hassle leafing up to it, there were lovely breaks to Brighton and St Ives, and I went to a very cool Tom O'dell gig!) then Christmas came, it was alright, then nothing really happened until it all went tits up in April/May... Then I moved in to my beautiful flat, had another trip to Brighton, spent all summer chilling out in the sunshine, had a brief but wonderful series of encounters with a rather lovely young man, messed up said wonderful series of encounters, learnt from it, got my confidence back, and started the great career hunt... And now I'm 29!! Just crazy!!

What have I learnt? Not to settle for second best. To love and let others love me. To trust if it feels right. That if it feels right it probably is right. Not to fight with myself. To be proud. Not to care about those people that don't particularly care about me. And to enjoy life, no matter how bloody crappy it can be!

Bring it on October, and as for 29, you've got some making up to do after that bloody 28!!!

Love
Ms Bee
xxx

Sometimes I just wanna scream!!!!!

Do you know what? Sometimes life just gets all a bit too much! And that's fine! Its absolutely fine, in fact, its great to admit it, to be able to turn to those closest to you and let it all out...

But if you're like me you'll just push the people that care the most away, and in your time of need you'll find yourself surrounded by people that don't really get you, and it sucks!!

I'm at a point where so much happened so quickly that I had no choice but to be strong, I pulled on my big girl panties and got on with life. I made the most of what could've been considered horrendous, I focused on the tiniest glimpses of anything positive, and just sorted crap out! But now, everything's levelled out, all the ugliness has gone, and I'm looking for opportunities.

The trouble is that now I don't have to be positive to get by I've found myself becoming reeeeeaaaaally quite pessimistic and miserable! I'm never down! I get angry or upset for a couple of hours maybe and then I'm over it, I move on, but for a while it seemed impossible!!

Now I appear to be coming through the other side of my slump, I've started looking at things differently - who I do want in my life, who I don't, what I need to make me happy, who I need to make it up to after being a right cow for a bit, and how once I'm truly happy again I'm going to do everything I can to keep it that way!

I guess the outcome is... Scream!! Scream loudly about how you feel (its better out than in whether its good or bad, right?!) scream at those people who just won't sod off, scream about the amazing things in life in the hope that you might inspire someone, and don't hold back from telling people what you know you should.

There, I feel better for that!!

Love
Ms Bee
xxx

Why I love Autumn!

Autumn has long been my favorite season, yes Summer's lovely, all of those barbeques and long warm evenings, and there's something so inviting about Spring with it's flowers popping up all over the place, and I'm the first to admit that waking up to a sunny yet snowy Winter's day is pretty awesome, but Autumn is just amazing!!

Here's how Autumn looks at Ms Bee's Boutique

Think about it, generally, in the UK at least, it's still warm-ish and mostly sunny. The dewy morning's are brilliant for waking you up on your way to work, and you can't beat playing in parks with all of the crunchy leaves underfoot! Now I know Summer has it's pretty dresses and tea-parties, and Winter has fluffy accessories and cosy nights in, but Autumn has both... Honest!!

See my Autumn inspiration here

Here's some of my very favoritist things that just some up Autumn for me...

Autumn hues, I use a lot of them over at Ms Bee's Boutique, and love to wear rich, deep, jewel-like colours, in fact here are a couple of gorgeous items that I need in my wardrobe this Autumn!

Vivien of Holloway's 1940's Swing Trousers are just perfect for Autumn

Vivien of Holloway's Maple Leaf Day Dress

The drinks!!! More importantly, the introduction of gingerbread, hazelnut, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon! 

I know these syrups are available all year round, but they're everywhere during Autumn, and it's rude not to right?!!

Here's a little sugar free Pumpkin Spice Latte for you to try at home!

Recipe

Long walks on chilly mornings make my heart sing! 

My favorite place to go this time of year is by far Westonbirt Arboretum, it's a truly magical place... Just look at it!

Plan your visit

Halloween!!!

Need I say more?! I'm a skull loving, black wearing, scaring people senseless, scary looking cocktail drinking girl at heart, and I absolutely love it!!

There's lots of spooky inspiration over on pinterest!

Here's the look I'll be going for this year (any excuse to buy VoH's gorgeous Pirate Sarong!!)

You can find them here!

Yummy Pies! Apple pie, pumpkin pie, blackberry pie, cranberry pie... I love pie!!!

The best Autumnal pies can be found just here!

So there we have it, some of my favorite things about Autumn!

I'd love to here from you if you've got any fail-safe seasonal recipes, or favorite places to visit at this time of year!

Happy Autumn!

Ms Bee

xxx 

Woop Woop Whoopie Pies!!!

I LOVE WHOOPIE PIES!!!

There, I said it!

Here's my favorite tried and tested chocolate whoopie pie recipe...

Ingredients for 12:

125g butter

150g chocolate

225g sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

250g plain flour

30g cocoa powder

½ tsp baking powder

12 marshmallows

1. Preheat the oven to 180*C. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. (Do not let the base of the bowl touch the water.)
3. Whisk the sugar, eggs and vanilla together in a separate bowl then fold in the chocolate mixture.
4. Sift the flour, cocoa and baking powder together, then fold into the chocolate and egg mixture.
5. Place tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto the baking tray (the mixture should make 36 biscuits) and bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and set aside half of the biscuits on a cooling rack. Turn the remaining biscuits over and place a marshmallow on top of each. Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the marshmallows have softened.
7. Remove from the oven and set aside on a cooling rack to cool slightly. Press the cooled biscuits on top.

And that's it, ready to eat!!!

Love

Ms Bee

xxx

In pictures: August

August's been a funny one! I've spent the whole month running my business full-time, and just enjoying summer as best I can - the weather let me down a bit!!!

There's been days out to Bath and Wells, and loads of shopping around Bristol, as well as lunch at my favoritist Cox & Baloney, amazing new shoes, nights out at casinos, lots of baking, a brand new princess and the pea bed, adventures in the woods, and lots and lots of crochet!!

And now we're in to Autumn! And its my birthday this month!

Love
Ms Bee
xxx

Yummy Gingerbread Loaf!!

Well, hello there!

It's Wednesday again, and you know what that means... Only another yummy recipe in honour of The Great British Bake Off!!

This week it's a gingerbread loaf, and it's the easiest recipe yet...

Ingredients:

• 175g unsalted butter

• 200g caster sugar

• 3 tablespoons golden syrup

• 250ml milk

• 250g plain flour

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1. Preheat the oven to 180 C / Gas 4. Grease and flour a loaf tin.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, golden syrup and milk. Bring to the boil, then remove from heat and set aside. 
3. Sieve the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and allspice into a large bowl. Stir in the boiled mixture until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared tin.
4. Turn down the oven to 160 C / Gas 2 1/2 and bake for 1 hour or until the top of the loaf springs back when lightly touched.

See, easy peasy!!!!

Love

Ms Bee

xxx

Chocolate Cola Cupcakes!!!

I know, amazing right?!

Now in all honesty, I haven't tried these myself... Yet! I found the recipe this morning and knew straight away that I'd have to share it with you guys for my weekly baking post!

As I haven't baked these myself (yet!!) I found this pics on Pinterest, along with other versions of the recipe, however, I've decided that the original recipe was my favorite because they're finished off with popping candy!!!! Yum!!

This recipe's from Christmas at the Christmas Cafe by Jenny Colgan (her books are fab, and they have recipe's in them!)

Ingredients for 12 large cupcakes:

200g plain flour

250g golden caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

1 large egg

125ml buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

125g unsalted butter

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

175ml cola

For frosting:

400g icing sugar

125g softened unsalted butter

1 1/2 tablespoons cola syrup (Soda Stream is recommended)

40ml whole milk

popping candy

fizzy cola bottles, candied lemon slices, or candy canes to decorate 

1. Preheat oven to 180*c and line 12 hole muffin tin with cupcake cases
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a seperate bowl, beat together the egg, buttermilk and vanilla
3. Melt the butter, cocoa, and cola in a saucepan over a low heat. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, stir well, then add the buttermilk mixture, beating until the batter is well blended.
4. Pour into cupcake cases and bake for 15 minutes, or until risen. Set aside to cool.
5. To make the frosting, beat together the butter and icing sugar until there are no lumps. Stir the cola syrup and milk together in a jug, then pour into the butter and sugar mixture, whilst beating slowly. Whisk until light and fluffy, then add popping candy to taste. The popping candy will lose it's fizz after a while so they should be eaten straight away for full effect!
6. Ice cakes and add decorations! This is where I would personally add LOADS of popping candy!!!!!

And Voila!!

Don't they sound amazing?!!!!

Do let me know if you make these - I'd love to know how amazing they are!!!!!

Love

Ms Bee

xxx

Pretty pics from Wells!

Helloooooooo from a lovely sunny Wells!!

I just thought I'd share some pretty pics from my little trip... A couple of my favorite shops, the best greengrocers in the world, and my pretty new Cath Kidston skirt!

Love
Ms Bee
xxx

The grand tour!...

As I've been promising you all a proper nose around my home since I moved I figured I'd better get on with it, knowing full well that if I don't there'll be a wool stash/stable door riot soon, you naughty lot!!!

So here goes...

Love
Ms Bee
xxx