The Humming Bird Bakery 'Strawberry Milkshake Cupcakes'

This is a recipe I found on the Breast Cancer Care website. It's a UK charity that provides information and support for anyone affected by breast cancer. From 1 June to 31 August they run a campaign called 'Strawberry Tea' which gives supporters the opportunity to raise funds for the charity by hosting bake sales or 'bake offs' at home, at work or even in schools. You can read more on their page where you can also find more recipes.

The Hummingbird Bakery 'Home Sweet Home' (Collins, £20)

Ingredients (12–16 cupcakes):

For the sponge

70 g (2 1/2 oz) unsalted butter,softened

210 g (7 1/2 oz) plain flour

250 g (9oz) caster sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

210 ml (7 1/2 fl oz) whole milk

2 large eggs

40 g (1 1/2 oz) strawberry milkshake powder

For the frosting

500 g (1 lb 2 oz) icing sugar,sifted

160 g (5 1/2 oz) unsalted butter,softened

50 ml(1 1/2 fl oz) whole milk

100 g (3 1/2 oz) strawberry milkshake powder

For the decoration

Strawberry milkshake powder, to sprinkle

Equipment

One or two 12‐hole deep muffin tins

Method:

Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F), Gas mark 3, and line the muffin tins with paper muffin cases to make the number you require. 

First make the sponge. In a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment or using a hand‐held electric whisk, mix the butter, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together until they form a crumb‐like consistency.

In a jug,mix together the milk, eggs and strawberry milkshake powder by hand.

With the mixer or whisk on a slow speed, gradually pour half of the liquid into the crumb mixture

and mix thoroughly until combined. Raise the speed to medium and beat until the batter is smooth and thick, with no lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl now and then.Once all lumps are gone, turn the speed back down and gradually pour in the remaining liquid, continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and combined.

Spoon the batter into the prepared paper cases,filling them two‐thirds full. Using a 50 ml (1 1/2 fl oz) ice‐cream scoop can make this process easier and will result in even cupcakes.

Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the sponge bounces back when lightly touched. Leave to cool

slightly before removing from the tin and placing on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Using the freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment or the hand‐held electric whisk, gradually mix the icing sugar and butter together on a low speed until combined and there are no large lumps of butter. 

In a jug, mix the milk and strawberry milkshake powder together. Gradually pour the liquid into the frosting, while mixing on a slow speed. When all the liquid is incorporated, turn the mixer up to a high speed and beat the frosting until light and fluffy.

Spoon generous amounts of the frosting onto each cupcake,then gently smooth over with a palette knife, making a swirl at the top if you wish.

Top each cupcake with a sprinkling of strawberry milkshake powder.

White Chocolate Cheesecake

So yummy and yet very easy to make, this fluffy, creamy cheesecake is egg-free and does not require baking.

Ingredients (serves 8):

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 oz baking white chocolate, melted
1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup (3 oz) butter, melted
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed
7 oz digestive biscuits, crushed

Some milk or white chocolate to garnish

Method:

Combine crushed biscuits with brown sugar and mix with melted butter. Press into a 23 cm baking tin, chill until set.

Melt chocolate and leave to cool.

Beat cream cheese until soft. Whip the topping until it has soft peaks. Combine whipped topping and chocolate well then mix in cream cheese.

Pour over set base and chill until set about 1 hour.

Decoration: 

Grate some milk chocolate over top or garnish with white chocolate shavings.

Kim Kardashian Continues to Attend her Bible Study Group in View of Her Possibly Imminent Christian Wedding to Kanye West

Recently Kim Kardashian has revelead that she has started a bible study group, which she attends regularly with her pal Malika, who has made various appearances in 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' and 'Khloe and Lamar'. 

Kim with pal Malika

The church in question focuses on second chances and was founded in 2010 by Kim's mom Kris Jenner and Reverend Brad Johnson. Kim revealed last year that she donates ten per cent of her earnings to the centre. LeAnne Rimes is also a member of this church. Could this be yet another Kardashian business venture? or are Kim and Kanye really getting married any time soon? 

With church buddy LeAnn Rimes

Bruce Jenner has often slammed Kanye and said 'he's never around'. Kanye does not seem too keen to officially join the Kardashian clan and, apparently, he is avoiding marriage in order to protect his finances and his reputation as a music artist. 

Kim is due to give birth to Kanye West's child in July.  She was celebrating the news she’s having a daughter at her baby shower in Beverly Hills yesterday. 

Mel B and Kelly Osborne attended Kim's baby shower in Beverly Hills

Kim has been piling on the pounds and according to rumors soon after the baby's birth she will be shedding the weight and releasing a fitness DVD. 

Kim before her pregnancy

Alcohol-Free Tiramisú with Decaffeinated Coffee and Grated Milk Chocolate

Tiramisú (Italian for 'pick me up') is a classic and super-simple Italian dessert which is perfect for the summer. This version contains no alcohol or caffeine so it is particularly appropriate for kids.

Ingredients (serves 10/12):

2 cups freshly brewed decaffeinated espresso

150 g/5 oz (2/3 cup) plus 1 tablespoon (separate) caster sugar 

4 large egg yolks

500 g/18 oz (2 1/2 cups) Mascarpone cheese

200 g/7 oz milk chocolate

32 savoiardi (Italian ladyfingers/sponge fingers)

Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Method:

Stir together the decaffeinated espresso and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a shallow bowl until the sugar has dissolved and allow to cool.

Beat the egg yolks and the remaining 150 g sugar using a whisk or electric mixer until tripled in volume. Beat in the Mascarpone for 3-5 minutes until smooth. 

Dip both sides of each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture then line the bottom of a large serving  dish with 16 ladyfingers arranged in rows. Spread half of the Mascarpone filling on top, grate the milk chocolate and sprinkle it over the  filling. Dip the remaining ladyfingers in coffee and arrange over the filling. Spread the remaining Mascarpone filling on top and dust with cocoa. 

Chill, covered, for at least 3 hours. 

Bring On Baroque Dressing Rooms!

While I was searching for ideas for my new dressing room I came across these picture which I think look absolutely fab. 

Baroque features intricate patterns and gilding embellished with wonderful luxurious fabrics. This style originated in Italy around 1600. It is so luxurious and romantic.

Adding bold colours to this flamboyant and elaborately ornamented style will give the furniture another edge.

The contrast between black and white looks effortlessly chic and creates a modern monochrome look. The dark walls bring a sensual, soothing atmosphere to the room.

Two-Cheese Rarebit (Vegetarian)

For a simple, filling snack, a tasty rarebit (or as it's properly known, Welsh Rabbit) is hard to beat. Cream cheese and Lancashire cheese are combined in this recipe to give a bubbly golden topping.

Ingredients (4 servings):

125 g/4 oz/1/2 cup cream cheese
15 g/1/2 oz/1 tbsp butter
125 g/4 oz/ 1 cup Lancashire cheese, grated (Waitrose mild Lancashire has a tangy finish, is made with pasteurised milk, is suitable for vegetarians and is available prepacked)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (Several brands sell anchovy-free varieties of Worcestershire sauce, often labelled as vegetarian or vegan. Alternatively, Henderson's Relish can be used as a vegan substitute for Worcestershire sauce).
1 tsp chpped fresh chives
4 sourdough bread slices

Method:

To make the  rarebit mixture, put the cream cheese and butter into a large bowl and beat together until blended. Add the grated cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and mix well until thoroughly combined.

Toast the bread until golden on one side and  spread the untoasted side with the rarebit mixture. Place under a preheated hot grill and cook for 3 minutes (or until the cheese is melted and golden). Serve straight away.

Will & Jaden Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Alfonso Ribeiro Rap!

This is a video from the Graham Norton show, a popular British late night Friday talkshow on the BBC. Will Smith and his son Jaden were there to promote their new movie ‘After Earth’. The funniest part was when Alfonso Ribeiro came out to the sound of a loud cheering and enthusiastic audience to the Apache (Jump On It) song which Graham himself joined in. 

'After Earth'  is a sci-fi action movie where Will Smith and Jaden play a father and son who fight for survival after finding themselves on a planet evacuated by the human race and now ruled by a super-evolved animal species. It will be released in the U.S. on June, 7.

David Beckham Retires From Football

David Beckham has officially put an end to his 20-year-long football career after last weekend's win against Brest, days after announcing his retirement. "I want to say thank you to everybody in Paris - to my team-mates, to the staff, to the fans," Beckham said addressing the crowd in Parc des Princes, in Paris. 

In his 21 seasons as a professional footballer, Beckham won titles and trophies with Man Utd, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and now the new French champions.

Although Beckham's career as a footballer is over, the Beckham brand will continue to be popular, at least for a little while. This year's campaign for H&M has proved to be a success and I am sure  there will be a lot more fashion brands that will choose Mr Beckham as the  face for their campaigns. And with a joint wealth with his wife Victoria of over £125 millions he is far from broke, should he choose to step out of the limelight. 

Hollywood's Original Blond Bombshell: Jean Harlow

Harlean Harlow Carpenter (March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. She lived a complicated life, adored and dead by the age of 26, as a result of acute renal failure. 

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, she moved with her mother to Los Angeles as a child after her parents separated.  At age five, she contracted meningitis and suffered from scarlet fever at age 15. 

She started to pursue a career as an actress from an early age and in 1932 she was signed to MGM by Paul Bern, who bought her contract from maverick film producer Howard Hughes for $30,000. 

In an acting career that lasted 10 short years, Jean made 36 movies. Interestingly enough, the now commonly used 'platinum blonde' expression was coined by Howard Hughes as a moniker  to promote Harlow’s image.

The First Tattooed Women

Olive  Oatman, 1858

According to various sources, the first ever tattooed woman was  Olive Oatman, a white Native American captive with a chin tattoo.

She was captured and enslaved by the Tolkepayas, after the massacre of her family in 1851, in today's Arizona, when she was fourteen. Her seven-year-old sister Mary Ann was also captured.

Later, Olive was sold to the Mohave people who in keeping with their tribal customs gave her a chin tattoo. She was ransomed back to the whites in 1856. 

Olive became a celebrity in her day, embarking on a lecture tour promoting a book that Rev. Royal B. Stratton wrote about her ordeal, The Captivity of the Oatman Girls. 

Margot Mifflin has written a book based on historical records, including letters and diaries of Oatman’s friends and relatives. The Blue Tattoo is the first book to examine her life from her childhood in Illinois, through the massacre, her captivity, and her return to white society, to her later years as a wealthy banker’s wife in Texas. This Bison Books edition features a postscript by the author with a newly discovered letter from Oatman.  

Maud Wagner , 1911

Maud Wagner was another famous tattooed woman and also the first known woman tattoo artist in the United States. She was born Maud Stevens in February 1877 in Lyons County, Kansas, and was married to  Gus Wagner who gave her her  first tattoo when she met him in 1904 at the St Louis World's Fair. In 1907, Maud Wagner traded a date with her husband-to-be for tattoo lessons and that's how it all started.

1920s:  Famous tattooist Charlie Wagner

Another 1920s image from new book Bodies of Subversion: A Secret History of Women and Tattoo