Cute Cakes!

Here are some cakes I made recently...I think they are quite cute. What do you guys think??

All I did was:

- I made a simple sponge cake, and when it was cool, used a cookie-cutter to get rounds.
- I made a sandwich of two sponge cake rounds, with a filling of jam, strawberries and a dairy-alternative cream (I'm lactose intolerant...I will post some recipes and how-tos about cooking for allergies, as even the most skeptical people can never guess that my deserts aren't laden with dairy)
- I covered by round sandwiches with Queens brand Royal Icing (following the instructions on the box)
- Then, I decorated them with things I found around my house...some ribbon, a fake butterfly, some mulberries from my mulberry tree. But I did make one aspect of the decorations...I wanted to try to make some Marzipan roses, like those they use on fancy wedding cakes and the like.
- To make the marzipan flowers, I dusted my hands with a little flour, and set to work fashioning the roses petal by petal. I will try my hand at making my first video so as to show you how to do it. They turned out really nicely...people thought I bought them! Yay!

xxxkatie

How to make: Super Yummy Moisturizing Rose Lip Tint (from lipstick/balm scraps)

Yummy Moisturizing Rosey Rip Tint made from Old Lipsticks!

Dear Everyone who follows this blog... (which at this point is sadly no one): Sorry for the lack of posts in the last two days, I was rather too busy!  BUT the good news is I have a wonderful post in store today. A wonderful post on how to make a charming lip stain/tinted lip balm out of your old lipsticks and lip balms...all those little bits which the colours weren't quite right, or there is simply too little left in the tube and now it scratches your lippies to try and apply.

You will need: 

• Rosewater
• old or leftover lip balms and lipsticks
• a little pot
• pink or red food coloring
• a little bit of olive or macadamia oil (optional...I just like ultra-moisturized lips)

Step 1:

Put the balms and lipsticks etc. in a small metal pan

 

Step 2:

Add a few drops of macadamia oil, and then about 5 drops of rosewater. I am addicted to the smell of rosewater so I may have added a little more...

Step 3:

Put the pan on the stove, and melt the lip balms etc together on smallest burner on a medium heat. Stir continuously. 

Step 4:

When nearly melted, it should darken and have a texture similar to this:

At this point, have a sniff and add more rosewater if you want. Also, if you aren't happy with the color, add some more food coloring as I did:

Stir until smooth and combined.

Step 5:

Now, decant into your little container. But be quick, because once off the heat the mixture will solidify verrryyy quickly. Especially if it is cold.

And TA DA! Enjoy your lovely sheer, moisturizing lip tint!

xxkatie

Yay! Tea Time!

Basil Tea:

Uses: Antispasmodic, aids digestion, settles the stomach, relieves nausea, with honey helps clear catarrh and tickly coughs
Tastes: The leaves have a slightly minty flavor when dried...
To make: Infuse 2 tsp of dried leaves in 1 cup of hot water to make a tea to settle the stomach. To relieve tickly coughs and help clear catarrh, add honey to taste.

Blackberry Tea

Uses: Effective in combating gout (dried leaves made into tea), the leaves chewed fresh will help bleeding gums. The tea is also used to help treat diarrhea.

Tastes: The fruit is sharp and sweet, the leaves are milder but still tangy.

To make: use 4 teaspoons of dried leaves to 1 cup hot water.

Caraway Tea

Uses: Aids digestion. A strong infusion gargled will ease sore throats. Chewing the seeds will sweeten breath. 

Tastes: Warming, aromatic

To make: 6 tsp crushed seeds to 1 cup hot water. As a decoction, use 6 tsp of seeds, then boil in 1 cup milk and leave to steep for 10 minutes. When taken cool, the decoction may help relieve colic in children and ease gas and menstrual cramps in adults. 

Celery Tea

Uses: Digestive, stimulant, lowers blood pressure, treats heartburn and rheumatism

Tastes: Sharp, fresh but warming

To make: Grind 1 tsp of seeds, and add 1 cup of water. Stand for 10 minutes, drink while still warm

Cautions: Do not drink while pregnant, or if you have high blood pressure

Chamomile Tea

Uses: Stress, insomnia, headaches, calming effect, liver cleansing (therefore also good for skin)

Tastes: mild and warming, soothing

To make: Infuse dry flower in hot water for 3 minutes, drink warm or chilled. 

To make a strong infusion, soak 2 ounces of dried flowers in a little boiling water. This can, once cool, be used as an antiseptic lotion or even used to lighten hair

Dandelion Tea

Uses: diuretic, aids digestion, relieves dyspepsia, eases liver problems, cleansing and detoxifying. Used in Chinese medicine  for treating breast tumors, mastitis, abscesses, hepatitis and jaundice.
Tastes: mild...I like it sweetened with honey
To make: 2 whole fresh leaves and steep in 1 cup hot water.
Caution: because of it's diuretic properties, caution is advised...especially where prone to dehydration

Dill Tea

Uses: insomnia, antispasmodic, diuretic, traditionally given to breastfeeding mothers to aid milk production, calm and tone digestive system, combat urinary infections. Traditionally used to ease wind in babies

Tastes: Spicy and mildly bitter

To make: steep 2 tsp of seeds in 2 cups hot water and leave to cool for 10 minutes. Add honey to taste.

Caution: only ever use the seeds of FRESH leaves. Dried leaves contain a volatile oil which is toxic. However, the SEEDS and FRESH LEAVES are perfectly safe, even for babies.

Fennel Tea

Uses: promotes digestion, ease wind

Tastes: Delightful! But a little bit like aniseed, only milder and sweeter

To make: 1 tbls of fresh seeds, crushed, added to 1 cup hot water. Steep for 5 minutes. Sweeten with honey to taste. 

Feverfew Tea

Uses: promotes sleep, eases asthma, mild laxative effect, inhibits migraines

Tastes: rather bitter

To make: 1 heaped tsp per cup of boiling water. Migraine sufferers can take 1 to 2 cups per day (read caution)

Caution: prolonged use can result in mouth ulcers

Thats all for today!

the book I got these recipes from is called 'Herbal Teas', written by Richard Craze

xxxKatie