My 23rd Birthday

At the beginning of the month I turned 23. I wasn't sure how I wanted to celebrate so everything was done last minute! I decided I would like a continental style breakfast to start the day, including toast with jam, blueberry muffins, and pain au chocolat. I was going to do croissants and other pastries too, but I just didn't have time to do it all. I used this recipe for the blueberry muffins, and they turned out really well. I would probably do a few less next time so the muffins are a little bigger, but they were nice and not too sweet. 

 Most of Jus-Rol's pastry products are suitable for vegans, and I have been wanting to try their pain au chocolat kit ever since I heard about it.  

 They were such fun to make; first you unwrap a cardboard tube which opens itself with a pop! 

 The pastry is rolled up and is perforated so that you tear it into six strips. 

 You then place a dark chocolate stick at each end of the pastry and roll the ends in to the middle. 

 Glaze with a little non-dairy milk and bake! They were delicious straight out of the oven.

After breakfast I went to a hotel spa with my brother's girlfriend where we enjoyed the swimming pool, sauna and outdoor hot tub (I didn't even think about taking any photos - sorry!). When we arrived my friend who works in the spa informed me that there was one space left that afternoon for a back massage. I decided to treat myself, and I'm so glad I did - I don't always have time to have a massage and it's great being the client for a change! In the evening my family and I went down to the local pub for a meal; I had a nut roast and all the trimmings, plus a few cheeky ciders. My mum did make me a gorgeous chocolate cake using this Lindy Smith recipe, which she smothered in chocolate buttercream and decorated with sugarpaste flowers and butterflies. However, when I got home I was rather merry and cut the cake before realising I hadn't taken a photo of it!  I had a lovely day, and got some amazing presents which I will be writing a post about soon. 

Jack's 3rd Birthday

A few weeks ago Jack turned three. As usual, I set out to spoil him rotten. This year I decided to buy him a load of vegan dog treats. Although Jack is not currently veggie or vegan, I thought it would be good for him to have some treats that aren't made of skin or bone, or any other body part that goes into low quality dog food and treats. Dogs can thrive on vegan diets and some vets even recommend it! Whilst looking for vegan dog treats I came across a website called veggiepets.com. They have a wide range of products to choose from, and I bought quite a few things so that they would last Jack a while. I wrapped them all up as Jack loves to unwrap presents (every time I get a parcel in the post he helps me to open it!). I tried to get him to pose for a photo with all his presents but he was too excited to sit still! 

 

Jack loved all his treats; he went straight for the 'pig' ear. I also made some vegan peanut butter dog biscuits using this recipe. 

  

  My mum got him some doggy chocolate drops (not vegan) and my brother got him some treats, a new ball, and a squeaky elephant teddy which is his new favourite!  

 

 

Of course no birthday would be complete without a cake, and so I made Jack a peanut butter and carrot cake topped with choc drops. I always make this recipe, but this year I veganised it by omitting the honey and replacing the egg with a ripe mashed banana. 

 

I also made a cake for my brother's gorgeous dog, Rhino, who turned three a few days before Jack. They love my cake! 

 Jack had a great birthday and was worn out in the evening. He still has plenty of treats left but I shall be ordering some more when they run out!Do you celebrate your pet's birthday? 

OOTD - Select Bow Print Tea Dress

Another OOTD from my last trip to Birmingham. One day Jamie and I decided to go on a canal boat cruise. It was such a hot day, so I thought it would be the perfect chance to wear my pretty new tea dress from Select, which was £14. I love how versatile tea dresses are; they can be worn as they are in the summer, or paired with tights and cardigans in the winter.

I wore this dress with my new faux-leather sandals, £9.99, and bag, £7.99, both from New Look. The sandals are so comfy, and they keep your feet cool in the heat.

On the way to the canal boat we saw loads of geese. We had taken some bread along to the canal the day before but the geese were all on the other side so we didn't get a chance to feed them. We got to feed them this time though, they were so cute and happily took the bread from my hands!