When you haven't blogged for 3 years

Right now I have got to that stage where I just wish to slam the brakes on in my life, and get my head clear into what I want to be doing.

Spending the nearly past 3 years in a human resources role has been tough, but it has made me stronger as a person. However, i've got to the point where i'm looking at what i'm doing and thinking, i'm not even enjoying this anymore.

This year, on the 29th June 2015 I got married, to my hunk of a husband - Jake. I planned the entire wedding myself and made most of the decorations myself with the kind assistance of the wonderful world of Ebay. Now, for those of you who have read my earlier posts will know that I was completing an events and wedding planning diploma. Unfortunately, 3 years on i've still not finished
this. Maybe I should give myself a kick up the arse and just get on with it!

Today is just one of those days when all motivation is burning low, and confusion has struck in my mind about the direction of my life.

However, one thing I know for certain is that I want to be creative, and be happy and all that I do. So, that is exactly what I plan on doing.

Wish me luck?

Becky

Sorry for my absence

My absence from the blogging has been too long, but no more! I've missed it, but I've had to be more focused on other aspects of my life.

If you have been reading my previous blog posts, you will know that I started a new job as a HR Assistant for company which delivers NVQ's for young soldiers. It has been strenuous, enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable. I have been giving this new job my all, and learning an awful lot from it.

I've also had a severely tough past 18 months. Losing a very dear friend of mine, hit me for six and I withdrew myself. Due to this fact I have been told by those close to me, that I am not the same person anymore, which has led to a few strained relationships with those that I thought were the closest to me.

I am still trying to focus on getting my Diploma in Events and Wedding Planning completed, but unfortunately due to time constraints I have had to get an extension (oh the wonders of at home learning courses!!)

Just beginning typing with this short post has freed my mind and made my day seem that bit better.  So I guess I best continue with the blogging, and getting on the right path of being and feeling like me again.

So for those of you reading this.....

Please stay tuned.....

Catch up Time 3#

Walking the dog right before a storm, just after sunset across Poundbury, Ringstead Beach dog walk

So the past week has been my first week off between jobs, it has been a blissful one at that. I've spent my time trying to be as productive as possible and also trying to relax, so that I am feeling nice and refreshed ready to start my new job on the 12th November, just thinking about it I get all excited!!

When I say productive I have managed to get a lot of my Christmas shopping done, never thought I'd genuinely manage to do this, I've even created a Christmas budget and I've stuck to it quite well. However, I've found myself lacking the drive and determination to get on with my coursework, and instead finding myself being distracted by the most stupid of things.

Sarahs Birthday cake I made her recipe can be found HERE, James and Jake, Tom and myself, Toby having some snuggs with Toby

This week was exactly what I needed in the way of relaxing. Saturday evening, my friends and I all got dressed up in our scary attire and headed out to the farm to celebrate Sarah's 20th Birthday in the barn partying the night away. It was also a bit of a sad one really, as the farm is now in the proceedings of being sold! So many great memories that my friends and I have shared here, with some absolutely mad goings on such as building a go cart, whizzing it around and occasionally the throttle getting stuck on sending us hurtling off in different directions, but its all in the name of fun and games. And also the little camp outs in the Mongolian yurt, cuddling baby piglets and the all nighter's spent working on the cars or just in general having a barn party. 

View from the beach hut, a cheeky halloween treat from Co-op, Jake trying to get the BBQ going, the perfect combo of sausages and a morris minor mag!

The Sunday was a bit of a more cheery day, with Jake and I spending the day at his Nan and Grandad's beach hut along Weymouth beach. It is quite honestly beautiful down there, despite the cold winds. We took a little disposable barbecue and after numerous attempts and 2 hours later we finally had some sausages cooking. We spent the time reading and sipping away at copious amounts of cups of tea, it was so blissful. I would love to have my own beach hut, but somewhere a bit more out of civilization so that I would be able to camp out in it in summer evenings.The only thing not so cheery about the day was the fact that I lost my voice, which was gone for a grand total of 3 days, which everyone seemed to find highly amusing, and when I was able to speak on the odd occasion I sounded like a squeaky toy! My oh my, how the banter was flowing at me. 

However, despite being ill the beginning of this week I have also manage to pick up my motivation and complete an essay. I have also been out and about with my camera with my Grandad's dog, only to be harassed by a deer hound (which at first glance I thought was a werewolf, silly me) that genuinely would not leave us alone, so that ended our trip rather short. From looking at the snaps that I have taken, it is very apparent to me now that winter is upon us. Personally I think that walking this time of year is the best, the air is so crisp, and who doesn't enjoy wacking on their wellington boots and wrapping up warm and just going for a little wander off of the beaten track to have a look and see what delights it is that they can find.

Now with just 4 days left until I start my new job, I have so much that I want to get done including 2 more essays and sorting my room out. Has anyone got any tips at all on motivating yourself? As this would be ever so helpful to me right now.

Victoria Sponge Cake

Hello fellow bloggers,

So this weekend I have been baking 2 Victoria sponge cakes, and thought i'd give you all a little treat and share this ever so easy recipe that I use to make mine that have been passed down through my family for years. 

Apologies for the shocking quality, good old Blackberry photo!

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 8oz margarine ( I use Stork)
• 8oz self raising flour
• 8oz caster sugar
• couple of drops of vanilla essence
• icing sugar
• extra margarine for greasing and the butter cream
• Strawberry Jam

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 160c.
2. Trace two circular baking tins on baking parchment, and using the excess baking parchment grease the baking tins with the margarine and then line with the two circle cut outs of parchment. Once they have been put into place grease the tins again and then dust with self raising flour, tapping out any extra when you are done.
3. In a bowl cream together the sugar and the margarine.
4. Mix in the eggs one by one, stirring thoroughly between each. I recommend breaking the egg into a cup before hand, as this makes it much easier just in case you do have any accidents with the egg shell when breaking.
5. Now add a couple of drops of vanilla essence to the mixture.
6. Sieve in the flour from a slight height, this will help make your sponge nice and light, and then mix in the flour carefully in figure of 8 motions.
7. Make sure that your mixture is thoroughly mixed together and then spoon your mixture equally between the two circular cake tins, smoothing over with a spatula.
8. Pop in the oven and bake for approximately 20-30mins. I would check your cake at about 15mins by gently inserting a knife into the centre of your cake and if it doesn't come out clean insert the cake back into the oven and bake for how much longer you seek necessary. I say this because I find that many ovens are very different, so be sure to keep a close eye upon your cake!!
9. Once your cake is cooked take out and place on a cooling rack until cool to the touch.
10. When your cake is cool you can gently remove it from the cake tins and peel off the baking parchment from the bottom. 
11. For the butter cream middle, using a tablespoon scoop out a spoonful of margarine and mix with some  icing sugar. Mix until you believe it to be the right consistency, and taste. Be careful not to make it too runny as this will result in your middle slopping over the sides. 
12. For the top of the cake you can either dust lightly with icing sugar or decorate how you seek fit.

This recipe I also find good for making little cakes and is easily adaptable, for example add cocoa powder for a chocolate cake.

If anyone has any questions, or would like to link me up to a cake that they have made, or a recipe for me to try out, please feel free to do so. 

Happy Baking Everyone!!

Catch up Time 2#

Hello fellow bloggers!

I've been on a pretty happy spell as of late and I have many reasons for this..........

My brother turned 18!! 

Now out of all honesty it has made me feel bloody old! Were both growing up so fast now and he is even taller that me these days! (Me being 5'6 and him breaching on 6'4) 

For his Birthday I made him a turtle cake, it took me a whole day! It's safe to say I was proud of it, but it is very clear that I need to work on my fondant icing techniques, but honestly it was delicious if I do say so myself. He also decided that he wanted a fancy dress party for his birthday, so that he did and the panic began of having to find a fancy dress outfit :/ Eventually me and Jake found suitable costumes, him being Sergeant Pepper (Beetles costume) and me being Red Riding Hood. Sadly Jake broke his trousers literally before this party! So he had to wear jeans with it which didn't have quite the desired effect on his outfit. However, all in all everyone had a fantastic night! My brother was drunk by 8pm, even though the party commenced at 7pm.

L - R Jake and I, Myself and Adam, Adams Birthday Cake

The other stuff

The past 2 weeks I have been living pretty much at a friends house with some other friends due to the fact that they've had a free house. It has been cushty! Chilling in a Jacuzzi even in a thunder storm, cooking up tasty home made meals together and constant banter. As you can imagine the house hasn't remained too tidy, however, over the past few days my OCD has struck and have made the house spotless from top to bottom!  

The excitement of my new job is growing and growing. Last week I met the lovely lady that I am going to be working with for lunch and we just chatted away. So the fact that I am going to be working with someone who is this lovely and easy to talk to will be a right treat compared to where I am working now (minus a few).

This Friday (26th October) was my last day at work leaving me a whole 17 days off! I swear I haven't had this amount of time off well, since school. I've made a HUGGEEEEEE! to do list. Including a sorting out my Christmas present budget and getting quite a few of the pressies sorted. The other two biggys on my list is to get on top of my coursework, as of late I have been lacking motivation, not good!! So has anyone got any tips on how to motivate yourself?? and then the second one being sorting out my room. I have a tendency to hoard stuff, I don't mean to it just happens :/ So I think I'm going to have to be a little wreckless and get this sorted or genuinely I won't be able to live in my room, as my room is the smallest bedroom in the house (damn you younger sibling!! -_-)

A-Z of Me

Whilst having my daily read of blogs I stumbled across this little challenge on Louise's Blog and thought I'd give it a little go. I'd love it if any of you have done it and would link me up for a little read.

Age: 20

Bed Size: Double! And yes I like to sleep in the middle when I am on my lonesome, OH YEAH!

Chore you hate: Ironing, its not that I hate it, its just that I take hours to do a couple of items, because I get all pedantic :/

Dogs: I have 3 border terriers. Maisy who is 13 years old, Harvey who is 8 years old and Murphy who is about 6 years old. We originally had Harvey but our other dog Toby died so we needed to get another dog quick as Harvey was pining that bad. So we ended up getting Maisy from some old people who didn't want her anymore, which I don't understand why! As she is such a sweetie. And well before we knew it Maisy was pregnant with 8 puppies, and thats how we ended up with Murphy.

L-R Maisy, Harvey, Murphy

Essential start to the day: My breakfast, I genuinely cannot function until I have got some food inside my belly. 

Favourite colour: Purple and Teal

Gold or silver: It depends on what I'm wearing really, so I don't really have a preference.

Height: 5'6

Instruments you play: Sadly none these days. I used to play the clarinet for about 4 years, and also played a bit of the piano.

Job title: At the moment I am working as a Secretary at an Estate Agents. However, I am leaving here on the 2nd November for my new job as a HR Assistant. And eeeee I am so excited!!

Kids: None and I don't plan on having any as of yet.

Live: I live in the South of England.

Mother's name: Teresa

Nicknames: Bex, Betty, Turnip.

Overnight hospital stays: Only one that I can remember when I was 15 to have my tonsils out. Worse experience of my life as the stitching came open afterwards :/ Not pretty!!

Pet peeves: I genuinely cannot abide noisy and messy eaters. Guys who choose to go out with girls that are about 5 years younger than them when they are around their 20's!! People without manners, inconsiderate and maniac drivers! Biting nails, the sound of peoples teeth banging together.Cutting finger nails (makes me gag, which I swear isn't normal)

Quote from a movie: "Hakuna Matata; what a wonderful phrase. Hakuna Matata; it aint no passing craze. It means no worries, for the rest of your days" Lion King <3

Right or left-handed: Right.

Stores you love: This tends to hop between, but its usually H& M, Zara, New Look, River Island, Topshop, Urban Outfitters. But I also like those little boutique shops where you can pick up something a bit different from those mainstream stores.

Time you wake up: I tend to like to wake up at 7am, as for some reason the longer I sleep in the morning the sleepier I am for the rest of the day. However, I have to get at least 8 hours, or else I don't function properly.

Underwear: Apparently I have an underwear obsession! I love pretty underwear, especially French knickers.

Vegetable you hate: Brussel sprouts, carrots, cucumber.

What makes you run late: I am one of those people that cannot abide being late. But the only reason I am normally late is because of Jake who is so ridiculously unorganised!

Xrays you've had: I have had about 3 on chest and I've had an MRI scan on my brain, which was one strange experience.

Yummy food you make: Cupcakes, any kind of cakey thing, deserts, pasta dishes, curry!

Oreo Chocolate Brownies, Cupcakes, Heart Fairy Cakes, My Brothers 18th Birthday Cake

Zoo animals: Oh god I am such a major animal lover of all kinds. But if I have to choose then it would definitely be a tiger and a giraffe

Tiger and Girrafe, taken by me at Marwell Zoo see blog post HERE

Catch up time

As of late I have been a shockingly bad blogger! And for that I apologise sincerely. However, after this post you will probably realise why I have been absent. But this won't be happening no more! I'm picking things up with my blog posting as I am finally out of a very nasty rut in my life also!

Clockwise from top left: Cupcakes made by Abby and I, Lucy and I on my birthday, The Skints (image courtesy of Google Images, Owl cupcakes for my birthday made by Nikki

Thursday 20th September

 Thursday I took the day off to attend a job interview, which went extremely well I felt. However, I was unsuccessful in getting the job, due to not having enough experience. Yet there is good news to this! As I scored so well in my interview and they liked me they have offered me a position as a HR Admin Assistant, but it is an apprenticeship for a year. This job will open up many doors for me and widen my knowledge further which will be ever so helpful in my final career goal of being an Events and Wedding Planner!! I'm so excited about this career prospect, and the fact that I am finally out of this rut and moving onwards.

Once I was finished with my interview I called up one of my best friends Abby, and we made cupcakes and had a good old catch up before she went away to her new job and me off to Looe Festival for my 20th Birthday! I will be sharing my cupcake recipe with you shortly.

Friday 21st September to Sunday 23rd September

On Friday morning me and four of my friends packed up our cars and headed off to Looe Festival for my Birthday. For those of you that don't know, Looe is in Cornwall and the festival is situated on the beach. Unlike other festivals there was no camping site, so we stayed at a nearby campsite.
The first night we watched The Skints! Such a great birthday present, I was right at the front against the barrier dancing/skanking the night away. They were incredible, and there is no doubt about it that I will be seeing them again live when they are on tour! When the music had all finished we headed back on the extremely steep walk back up to the campsite, to cook up a little feast and celebrate my birthday with some cheeky beverages and Abby and mine cute cupcakes!
The second night we watched the Levellers, they were fantastic, the whole crowd was dancing away to them. They even whipped out a Didgeridoo, it was literally hypnotic.
Then Sunday the rain and wind hit hard in the night. Jake and mines tent was shaking big time, Toby's tent has a little stream going through it and one of the panels on Sarah and James' tent had caved in onto James in the night. We tried to bear it out, sitting in our tent hoping for the weather to clear up, but sadly to no avail. So we decided to pack up our tents, which was literally like mission impossible I tell you! We got soaked to the bone, however, this was not going to deter us from watching the almighty Stranglers! We packed up our cars and headed down to the beach and got dancing away to the music. I'm so glad we braved the wind and rain because The Stranglers were incredible and did not fail to entertain and keep everyone on there feet despite the dreadful weather, the beach was absolutely packed!
If you ever get the chance of going to see any of the above names I really do urge you to do so, They will not  disappoint you, and are honestly worth every penny.

Saturday 29th September

Jake and my friends threw me a suprise birthday party in the garage. It was perfect! I spent it with all my nearest and dearest, drunk off lovely cocktails and munching on owl cupcakes!