Gift idea...Candles

Pre-warning, this post is pretty picture heavy.

After seeing various pictures on Pinterest, I just hand to give candle making a go, and what better excuse than Christmas! I intended on it being a sweet little gift idea that saved me some money but unfortunately I decided on the idea to late and had to buy all the items from places like Hobbycraft (which we all know is an extortionate store). If i'd been more prepared, I definitely could have ordered it all online for much less.

You will need:

Glass jars

Thermometer

Wicks

Wax

2x pans (1 smaller than the other)

Pouring jug

Fragrance

Colouring (optional)

Decoration

I decided to use frosting spray over some stars to decorate my jars but you could do whatever you like, or you can even leave them plain if you are that brave!

I can't say that I weighed how much wax I melted, I just hacked away at the block for as long as I could manage before my arms felt like they'd fall off. Put a cookie cutter on the base of the bigger pan and add some water (don't go higher than the top of the cutter) and place the smaller pan on top. Boil the water and then turn the temperature down slightly. Add your wax to the small pan and place the thermometer in the wax. Slowly melt the wax but don't rush it by turning up the heat, the thermometer shouldn't read above 170 degrees Fahrenheit at any point.
I decided to add a bit of colour so I threw in a couple of coloured tea lights which worked perfectly.  

I brought the temperature down to about 150 and added some of my Christmas fragrance (I completely guessed the amount.) I should probably add that while your wax is melting you should put your wicks in your jars. I took the easy option and bought the pre-waxed wicks and clips and used a glue gun to stick them to the bottom (tee-hee) although I did give the normal wicks a go in my bigger jars and used a pencil and some tape to keep them straight. To be honest, it was a lot of effort, if you can, i'd go for the pre waxed ones! Pour straight from the pan, or like me, use a jug and fill the jars to about 3/4's full. I've been told that you should tip the containers as you're pouring to avoid air bubbles. I can't say it worked all that well, but I think the air bubbles just add to the rustic-ness. Once your candles have fully set you can cut your wick down a tad and finish any decorating.

I have to admit, the white and the light coloured wax candles don't really show off the frosted glass :( but I also did some dark purple ones that look really cool!

This is a perfect gift idea for Christmas, but they would also make perfect Birthday or Mothers Day presents. If you do give this a go, I would love to see a picture so please tweet me @strawbteacake

Have a very Merry Christmas and I will see soon!

xoxo

Holiday excitement - Ski edition

Long line long sleeve top - Topshop

Faux fur trim boots - Debenhams

Ski jacket - TK Maxx

Beanie hat - Jack Wills via ASOS

Tribal knitted leggings - Forever 21

Knitted headband - Sweaty Betty

Long thermal spot socks - M&S

Ok, so I know i'm getting a little ahead of myself for a holiday that is at the end of February but I thought i'd sneak this one in before christmas in case any family members feel like giving me a hand ;-).

To set the scene, I haven't been skiing since Christmas 2009, therefore I need a complete over-haul of ski gear because 1. Fashion has very much changed (goodbye hot pink all in one) and 2. I've grown a good half foot since then (and probably half a foot outwards as well).

I know I know, half of these are less ski-practical and more ski-fashionable but hey, you have to try and look reasonable right?

Seen as I have decided to go for a 2-piece this year I feel like what I wear underneath has to be slightly nicer that what i'd wear under an all in one. Am I crazy? Even if I am, I have decided that knitted leggings and long line long sleeves are the way to go, and I am particularly fond of the two in the picture above. Paired with warm boots and a big thick coat, it's the perfect outfit for an evening in town or paired with thermal socks and a wooly hat for a warm base layer under a ski suit.

What I do know for sure is that i'm after a 2-piece ski suit and I will more than likely go for black trousers and then maybe a slightly more colourful jacket so I can be found on the slopes. This purple ski jacket from TK Maxx is an absolute bargain and exactly what I am looking for, but i'm sure by the time I get around to purchasing, it will already be sold out. Damn Christmas and it's effect on my bank balance!

Am I bananas to be looking at things already?

xoxo

November catch up

Incredible fireworks at Alton Towers. The cheesiest Mac'n'Cheese. The Smiler may be the best ride ever.Tiny bottles of fizzy stuff with my sister. I made her dinner too, aren't I nice. How could I not go to the Breakfast club? My bunny is just too frigging cute. I'd like to think i'm improving at Pole. I just love to cook for people, can you tell. 

Look how big he is compared to that hen! Wild Friday watching Hercules. Why is my car so rubbish. Tiny cute little bunny, eeee-thanks Facebook. Celebrating my friends 21st. I've just noticed how often I eat pasta. Possibly the bravest squirrel in the world. Cute sunset. Winter Wonderland is rammed on a Saturday but it's just so festive.

Aren't we cute. So many sweets at the Wonderland. The gorgeous birthday girl.
Don't we look nice sober. Love these girls millions-had the best night. En route to Cirque Le Soir. Fast forward to the hangover the next day and we don't look so good. Not sure how I feel about there being a snake in the club. We didn't look so classy at the end of the night.

November was a brilliant month for me, it seemed so perfectly balanced. Two crazy busy weekends and two very chilled ones, I can't have a full on schedule all the time, it's far too exhausting. I had a brilliant weekend celebrating one of my closest friends 21st's - it's not often that I go on big nights out, it's just not really me but the whole weekend was good fun and I didn't stop laughing the whole time. I'm now so ready for Christmas, half my presents are done and dusted, more are on the way, and there are some to make. I always go a little crazy at christmas, I just love buying presents and spoiling people. Less than three weeks to go people!

xoxo

Christmas wishlist

1. Striped colour block jumper - Oliver Bonas

2. SensatioNail gel polish in Liquid metal steel a kiss - Boots

3. Burgundy coat - Newlook

4. My side/Your side double bed sheets - Amazon

5. Safah ring - Oliver Bonas

Hello hello, sorry this post didn't go up on Thursday- I had some technical issues and then I was in London all weekend for my friends 21st birthday and I was far too hungover last night to even think.

I hadn't heard of Oliver Bonas until about a month ago when my sister started raving about it, and since then I have been spotting the brand everywhere. I have noticed there is a store in Waterloo station which could be dangerous being 5 minutes from work! I spotted this jumper instantly in store a few weeks ago, it is unbelievably soft and comfortable and definitely wearable for at least 8 months a year. The ring is also an Oliver Bonas pick-it's just so sparkly and pretty and I can use it to try to hide my short stubby fingers.

Very basic eplanations for the next ones, I picked myself up the SensatioNail deluxe starter kit for £60 last month in a Boots offer and I only have 2 pinks and a gold so now i'm on the hunt to build up my collection, starting with this sparkly grey.

It's winter, it's cold, I need a coat pretty much everyday so this burgundy coat is necessary. Right? As much as I adore my Topshop parka to keep me snug, I just can't turn down a pretty looking coat and my collection has doubled in the last year.

Finally, these bed sheets are amazing-I was after the pillowcases last year (which I totally didn't get, boo). Annoyingly they are the wrong way round for the side I sleep so if anyone could find these (and buy them for me) with the print on the opposite sides then I would be very very grateful.

xoxo