It's My Brithday!

Today is my birthday! I'm the grand age of 24 and I never grow tired of looking forward to my birthday. A lot of people as soon as they're about 16 or so, end up knowing exactly what it is they get for their birthday as they simply ask for it. I've actually been really lucky and almost always don't have a clue what I'm getting! You may think this is a dangerous tactic but I do always hint heavily or make general wishlists so people have a rough idea, and by the time my birthday comes around I have completely forgotten what I've asked for.

This year again I had forgotten most of what I had asked for, so it was mostly a surprise. I say mostly...my mum has accidentaly included a picture of one of my presents in another picture she sent me! I kept schtum until she gave it to me though as it was something I actually really wanted (the cupcake carrier)

So here most of them are, in their beautiful glory! My mum wanted to give me my presents last night as she couldn't wait - but I was firm and said no as I love opening them in the morning, that's called willpower! I now understand the reason, she wanted me to have the cupcake carrier as I was making them for work, but I ended up making so many that I wouldn't have been able to fit them in anyway! For work I made my lemon drizzle, brownies, sweet and salty chocolate cake, Norwegian shortbread, choc chip cookies, toffee apple sausage rolls, cheese and onion puff pastries and victoria sponge cupcakes - I will get up the recipes for the ones I havn't put up before. They need their own post I think!

Now back to the pressies! I actually got my first ones when we went to Brighton this weekend,  again this needs its own post as there's so much food to talk about, and of course - my visit to Choccywoccydoodah! I was like a crazy stalker/paparazzi - I had NO shame. Anyway, here's a quick look, my mum had some money from my nan in Norway to buy something I'd like, I usually always need this money to survive, but for once I didn't so I really wanted to actually get something with it. So we were in Choccywoccydoodah and I saw a gorgeous red apron with the logo on, I have a bit of an apron fetish so that was a must. She also really wanted to buy me something that I could eat, at first she did say she was going to buy me a cake until she realised how high the prices were and it's not like it was a special birthday so I would have killed her if she got me one. So we settled on a chocolate lolly. I did really want something with glitter on but they were all sold out! But then I saw this massive one with their logo on, to match my apron so I couldn't resist. I still haven't eaten it though...it's too beautiful and then I will be gone forever! (I know...I'm crazy)

So then there is my lovely cupcake tin and carrier for 12 cupcakes, big ones (yay) which is really good for transporting ones that are decorated so that they icing doesn't get messed up when they touch.  I was so happy that I did actually get this as I was a bit worried she'd put it back, which she nearly did! So I can't wait to try it out. I also got a multisize cake pan, I first saw this on The Great British Bake Off and fell in love with the idea of it. You can make it up to any size of the actual pan, in a square, long rectangles (perfect for a battenburg) or even 4 equal square which will be great for small individual cakes. This came from Lakeland and it's nice to have an actual tin, because as most of you know I always end up baking in biscuit tins!

Another thing from my mum/nan was the mock croc purple patent placemat and coaster set. This may seem like an odd choice but they're so glam! The purple doesn't look too bright here but it really is! I looooooove purple at the moment so can't wait to make a posh dinner and get them out.

I also got a nice little Christmas cupcake book from Norman (our baby tortoise!) haha my mum is crazy bless her : D. But they're so many cute ones in this book they'll be some posts up soon enough don't you worry.

Right, sorry stay awake we're nearly done! I got this really unique cake stand from my brother and his fiancee, made out of recycled vinyl records, they even came in their own recycled packaging of sleeves and newspaper. I loooove records and was told I saw this ages and loved it, so they bought it for me from a lovely cake shop in Lyme which I can't wait to visit. See I do forget what I want to it's like a double surprise. I need to think of something really unique to bake to display on this though, it has to be special!

Last but not least my best friend of 9 years came around yesterday, we really go all out for each others birthdays and this year she really raised the game! As I opened the gift bag I instantly recognised the name on the bag inside....PANDORA!!!!!! We actually both nearly cried because we're losers and it was such a lovely moment. It's a proper grown up present, and a far cry from our Lion King fluffy pens (although we do still buy them for each others at Christmas!) and it felt like a little landmark in our friendship,  I really didn't expect it. She got me the lovely snake style bracelet and also a super cute butterfly charm. It's so me and I can't wait to build on it!

My brother made me an amazing cheesecake for today as well, his present hasn't turned up so I happily accepted this in the meantime, he has also sent me the recipe so I will have to write about it, there are no words for how incredible this tasted....I might actually even have to dig into another cheeky bit!

I've really been spoiled this year and still have a couple of presents to come! So thanks to everyone that bought me a pressie and said happy birthday each year gets better and better! Very lucky indeed :)

Sorry I know I've rambled a lot but I've such a great birthday!

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My Birthday Wishlist

It's exactly one month and two days until my birthday, not that I'm counting! And to be honest I think I'm pretty easy to buy for, so this isn't a wishlist as such, in the way that I want people to buy me these things! It's more of like, in an ideal world of money and storage, I would love them :D So it's more for fun, but one day when I'm disgustingly rich and have a huge house, I can buy them all! A lot of what is featured will already have been on My Baking Wishlist, as I still haven't bought them!

One has to be the rolling pin, I think it's quite extravagant for nearly £45, from  Not On The Highstreet but it's sooooo pretty. I want to roll nothing but pastry with it, they effect would look brilliant on a pie. I just really want a porcelain rolling pin too, I only have wooden ones.

I have a bit of a mixing bowl obsession, I love them when I realised they came in more colours than just the plain brown and white, which I think it awful. I have a set of Joseph Joseph bowl which I love, and a beautiful bright red mixing bowl from Tesco which reminds me of a fireman's helmet. But the one I REALLY want is this lilac Mason Cash one from John Lewis.  It's £22 and so pretty I almost can't stand it, it just makes me want to bake a Victoria Sponge! I've seen it a few times but can never justify getting it as I already have a colourful one. But it is cute isn't it.

OK my next one is one my lust list,  I've been looking at it for ages. I'm quite traditional and even though I don't have my own place I really want my own dinner service, I think they'd be great for my baking photography too. I love this set, again from John Lewis called Pipp. It's not actually stupidly expensive, prices start from £3.49, but if you wanted the whole set...it will set you back. I just love how it's quite traditional but with a modern twist, I love the floral patterns but it's not old fashioned at all. It comes in two main colours, blue and pink and the idea is you can buy bits from each colours and mix them so it'll look quite eclectic. Love it!

I'm really into purple it's easily my favourite colour. So it's no surprise these caught my eye in Tesco . I also love Mock Croc so it's a double win. They don't look to bright in this picture but they're a gorgeous purple colour, and patent too just like a handbag. The only problem with this placemat as coaster is that it only comes in a set of four, so you'd have to buy two which is crafty as they're £10.50 a set...still love them though :)

So the last thing on my dream list, and I'm sure you're expecting it to be a mixer - but even I can't ever expect one of those in my wildest dreams! - is an ice cream maker. I know summer is over, but ice cream is brilliant all year round and it would be great to make some great flavoured ones for Christmas. This one is a Kenwood one from Amazon for £19.97 which actually isn't too bad, again I can never seem to justify it if I don't actually NEED it, and I guess I don't. I have tried making it in the freezer before but I just can't get the hang of it.


Images from:
Not On The Highstreet, Tesco, Amazon and John Lewis Pin It Now!