Surprise Baby Shower

My sister is due a baby next month and so I wanted to throw her a surprise baby shower. I've had great help from my mam and sisters organising it all. 

The theme for the party was afternoon tea so lots of cakes, treats and bunting. Since she will only find out the baby's gender once it's born I tried to keep it as natural as possible. It may have turned out a little girlier then I had first thought it would but it's very much my sisters style and pretty so I knew she would like it.

The decorations.

Bunting is from dunnes stores (multicolor) and starbuys (flowery) and cost less than €5 for both.
I also got the 3 paper pompoms in dunnes Stores for about €3 and the bigger white one in Ikea.

The yellow babyshower banner I got in Mr.Price as well as the purple babyshower balloons, paper plates and the guest badges. I headed to ikea again to pick up some fabric for a tablecloth, I wanted something floral and I knew I had seen the fabric there before. I got 2 meters for €12, while I was there I also got some flower napkins and pastel ribbon. 

For the balloons I got a disposable helium tank in Argos for 27.99 which blew up 30 of them. I am not the biggest fan of them so I got my sister to blow them up for me and another to arrange them all. I got the clear balloons in Tescos for about €3 and the coloured ones in starbuys for a couple of euro.

The invitation.

I made these myself at home but printing out my invitation on card from the art and hobby shop and used some patterned cardboard as the surround, I used different colors like pink, blue, yellow and green and mixed and match them with coloured envelopes like a pink invite in a blue envelope.

Prediction cards.

I found a template for the surround online and added in my details on the inside, then changed the size before printing and again used the card that I used for the invites. I also added the date of the shower to the bottom of it. After the shower we had a little peek at these the messages where lovely and we will wait and see if any one got the right predictions. 

The food.

As the theme was a tea party I wanted to keep the food to small bites. 

I made baby shower themed mini cupcakes, macarons, finger sandwiches and a small chocolate and buttercream cake topped with fresh strawberries.

 My sister Siobhán made gluten free rock buns and gorgeous chocolate truffles and my sister clodagh made chocolate covered strawberries. 

Áisling really enjoyed the surprise and couldn't believe we had all kept it from her this whole time. Everyone brought her such lovely gift, I don't think any of us expected so much they ll so great. 

Recent Baking

At the start of the month was my youngest sisters 21st. I was in charge of the cake making. I knew I had to do something different for this one so I went with black icing and neon colours. The best part was the inside. I wanted it to look great when it was cut open. This is why I went with multicoloured cake and cut a hole in the middle and filled it with smarties. I also iced it in chocolate fudge before putting the sugarpaste on. The cake didn't last very long with everyone at the party, which I take as a complement. 

This is the second cake I made which was for my Aunty's 40th Birthday last weekend. I wanted to do something different but girly at the same time. I have been dying to give a sprinkles cake a go for so long. I was afraid that it might go all wrong but in the end it turned out great and I found it really fun to make. I did however get sprinkles everywhere in the kitchen including under the dryer and even found some in my hair later on lol. It seems to be like glitter it gets everywhere. I bought the big bag of sprinkles in Decobake on Bachelors Walk a couple of weeks ago thinking I would need it all but surprisingly I didn't actually need loads. I may have over estimated it aswell and bought a 1kg bag of sprinkles. I have since bought a jar to store them all in and I'm already working out ideas to use them up.

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♥

Mini Haul

I went shopping yesterday and it was only to window shop as I really souldn't be buying anything else because I don't know where I'm going to put it. Anyway I went for a little browse in Penney's (Primark) because it's to tempting not to in the off chance I find a bargain or two that I have no choice but to buy as the price is just too good haha.

I did find some bargains actually and really good ones. First I got this mint green top for €1 and then I found these pink runners. 

The top is a lovely green which is one of my favourite colours and it's 100% cotton and really soft.

The shoes where only €2 which is great. They are very bright but I have always loved pink shoes and for €2 where could I go wrong. 

New Bag

I love this bag. I saw it on ebay a few weeks ago and feel in love with it. I just had to have it and it was only €8.22 with free postage, so bargain. I love finding these types of bargains. It only took a couple of weeks to get here which is great for ebay. 

It came in a few different colours aswell like pink and beige. It has a leathery feel to it and the size is perfect, not to huge but big enough to fit everything in and definitely not small. It even has a little purse attached to the inside which I think is the cutest thing ever. 

To be honest I am genuinely impressed with the quality given that it was only €8.22 and on line. My Aunty was even so impressed that she's asked me to order her one as well in the same coulour. Well it was either that or mine may have just gone missing haha. 

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Nails green and silver

My green and silver nails that I did last night instead of going to bed early. The camera never picks up this colour well but it is a minty green. I got this polish in Penny's a little a while in an embellishment set. The silver on my ring finger is Nails inc that I got with a magazine and have been dying to do something with since then. Those little silver bits are from an essence nail decoration kit. I painted my nail silver then using a tweezers attached each little circle one at a time. I used Rimmel top coat over it when it dried and then spent most of the day trying not to ruin them as I have a habit of  doing that. 

Embellish 3D Manicure

I always thought this look was a fantastic but was surprised how easy it was to do. I had mentioned to my sister that I like the look and she came home from a day of shopping with this for me. I love the colours. It comes with a little funnel for putting the tiny little embellishments back in the bottle and a little plastic tray to catch them when your pouring them over your nails.(that what I'm calling them now because apparently calling them sprinkles is strange or so I'm told) 

First you use two coats of the green polish just like normal but when it comes to the fingers you want to embellish you have to apply your second coat and hold your finger over the tray and pour the little sprinkles over your nail and gently press them so they are all evenly on the nail. After that you wait for them to dry which didn't take to long and if you like apply a top coat. I didn't apply a top coat but will do the next time as I found a few off them over the next few day on my keyboard and my desk opps. Also it might be best to wait for the other fingers to dry before applying the top coat or sprinkles to another finger or it can get a bit messy.

Yummy Green Smoothie

This is my smoothie that I like to have for breakfast I'm trying to be a bit more healthy lately so trying to have it everyday. I would make it all the time until my blender broke a while back but thankfully my Mam and Dad got me a new one for my birthday. I am a bit devastated to think that I've gotten to a stage in my life where a kitchen appliance as a birthday gift is a perfect idea. I was actually delighted to get it haha. It may look strange but it tastes lovely so I've decided to share the recipe. It is really easy to make and makes a lot so if you would only like a taste only use half of what I suggest.

Green Smoothie

1 small cup ( I use a tea cup) Green Tea

Two hand fulls of spinach 

One hand full of strawberries (I use frozen but fresh is also great)

One hand full of pineapple diced

One small banana (I use the kids size or a half of a big one)

Make the green tea as the instructions say and let cool..

Add the spinach and green tea to the blender and mix until smooth and not lumpy.

Add the strawberries and blend again. It may change colour slightly but that's ok.

Now add the pineapple and the banana and blend until it is creamy and smooth. 

Ice can be added to make it really cold but as I use frozen strawberries I don't add any.

Pour it into a nice tall glass and enjoy with a straw.