Layer up with leather, 3 Autumnal looks.

Autumn is here!

Season Fix Style Edit.
Three style ideas for your leather shorts.

  So, as always get out your layered knits and start to polish those boots because we will sure be needing them.

Autumn is around the corner (if you live in England, it's already starting to feel like autumn with the dreary rain and cloudy days...) but don't fret, because with a new season comes a new wardrobe! (or at least in my imaginary wardrobe...).

For me, autumn is all about the natural colours that go along with the changing season, burgundy's and reds, oranges, dark greens, mustards and navy's. So, along those lines and inspired by my personal and slightly naughty spend up on shopping the other day... I've created three layered transitional outfits styled around leather shorts, also including similar alternative items of clothing and accessories to that featured and some change up extras to bring your outfit full circle, day to night, warm to chilly and casual to smart.

1. Dark elegance and minimalist texture. 
This outfit focuses on minimalism with the layering of texture and materials speaking for itself with only a subtle slip of colour. Leather shorts layered on top of either lycra or knitted tights. The simple yet beautifully cut delicate lace detail crop, fluffy and fun pom hair accessory and a suede leather rust coloured bag adding an overall autumnal feel.

 Outfit 

Leather Shorts

Navy Tights  

Crop Top

Cardi

Leather Jacket

  Accessories 

Nail Polish

Bag

Ring

Necklace

Pom Hair Tie

Mid Heel Boots

 2. 70's and orange.
The 70's are on trend and orange is in so, with autumn on the doorstep this trend is totally welcomed. This outfit looks at incorporating the on trend staples and the classic autumnal orange with a chic city vibe pairing the perfect orange lip with a modern funky hair pom and a pair of step out in style mid heels.

 Outfit 

Leather Shorts

Stripe top

Tights

 Accessories  

Scarf

Boots

Orange hair pom

Ring

Lip liner and Lipstick

Earrings

3.  Suede persuasion.
Its time to think suede with this outfit, layering up the leathers and tying it all together with stand out gorgeous emerald shade accessories. (...which is bound to stun!) Accompanied with statement, flash back to the 60's, ankle booties and a black nail polish that radiates sass and romantic class.



 Outfit  

Leather Shorts

Suede Crop

Tights

Coat

 Accessories  

Scarf

Boots

Nail polish

Earring

    Similar items and occasion variations:  

Here, I've listed a few variations for different occasions and similar items to suit personal style and body shape. With occasions ranging from winter knit tights and light knit layers to a suedette skirt and platform boots for smarter occasions and finally a durable yet super fun floral print backpack just in time for the back to school season.

(Click images to go to linked webpage.)

 

   

 

           

 

   

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 It's time to love you and leave you now but as always, I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Also if you have any tips or fave trends for autumn I'd love to hear what's on your autumn loves list. 

If you end up buy any of the above looks or pieces feel free to comment below or tag me on instagram and twitter. (I:@apesjackson and T:@aprilroseo). I'm always interested to see what combinations you come up with!

Much love,  -A
Xx



That's all for now folks,

 

XOXO -A

<3

Vanilla and Raspberry Birthday Cake Recipe

Vanilla and Raspberry Sponge Spectacular.

For those new to my blog, I recently uploaded the blog post; Cappuccino and Chocolate Birthday Cake Recipe, where I shared the recipe for my homemade birthday cake. (Giving me the luxury to hand custom my fave flavours and experiment with the all and powerful four layer cake design). If this wasn't enough I also made my brother's birthday cake too. I'm a triplet, meaning a multiple birth of three, I have two siblings (brothers- lucky me... ahah!) of who I share the same birthday with. With my kind nature (of which is under appreciated as always...) I made my brother a birthday cake too! And so began the creation of the classic but oh so special  Vanilla and Raspberry Jam Layer Birthday Cake Surprise. (My other brother wasn't home for our birthday, otherwise I would have ended up making three!)

 So, here goes...
 

The Vanilla and Raspberry Sponge Spectacular Recipe

 

 (Yep this is going to be a big one; the perfect blow out surprise celebration cake).

 

Ingredients:

 

For the Four Sponges:

450g Butter

450g Caster Sugar

450g Self Raising Flour

8 Medium Eggs

1/2 tsp. Vanilla Essence

 

Inner Filling:

225g Icing Sugar

100g Butter

1 tbsp. Milk

1/2 tsp. Vanilla Essence

Raspberry Jam (or strawberry if preferred).

 

Chocolate Covering:

225g Icing Sugar

100g Butter

1/2 tsp. Vanilla Essence

1 tbsp. Warm Water

1 1/2 tbsp. Cocoa Powder

 

 

 

Method:

 

For the Sponges:

1. Pre-heat oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 4. Lightly grease and/ or line two 20cm (8 inch) sandwich tins.

2. Beat together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.

3. Add the vanilla essence then beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add to the mixture little at a time, beating well after in addition.

4. Sieve the flour over the mixture and fold in with a metal spoon.

5. Divide the mixture equally between the tins and smooth over with the back of a spoon.

6. Bake for approx. 25-30 mins. Until Golden and firm to touch. Leave to cool for 10mins and turn out of tins on wire rack.

 

(If you only have two tins, half the mixture and cook two at a time).

 

For the filling:

Once the sponges are completely cool, use a sharp knife to level three of the sponges, leaving a sponge unlevelled for the top layer.

1. In a mixing bowl beat together butter, icing sugar, milk and vanilla essence. Also set aside the jam in a small bowl the fringe to cool after beating smooth.

2. Once the icing is smooth place a sponge layer on your cake tray/stand and use roughly 1/3 of the icing or enough to cover the sponge about 1cm thick (add more or less depending on your preferred amount).

3. On a second sponge layer spread 3-4 spoonful's of the raspberry jam and gently place jam side down on to of the butter icing covered sponge. 

4. Repeat with the next two layers.

5. Refrigerate for up to 30-60mins to ensure the icing has begun to set and the cake is sturdy before coating the outside. (If a little wobbly just place in the fridge for 10-15mins between each layer).

 

Chocolate Frosting Coating:

1. Beat together the icing sugar, butter, cocoa powder, vanilla essence and water until smooth and fully blended. (Add more cocoa powder to adjust colour and taste.)

2. To ice the cake, carefully spoon the mixture on the top and sides using the back of the spoon the gently ease the mixture in to any gaps and begin smoothing out. (If your sponge is a little crumbly apply a thin layer of icing all over and refrigerate till firm to lock in the crumbs and carry on with the next steps; however this isn't always necessary.)

3. Using either an icing spatula or, alternatively, the back of a serving spoon and knife to gently cover the cake, roughly smoothing as you go.

4. Decorate the cake with your chosen sprinkles, fruit and other decorations and refrigerate till serving. I added fresh raspberries and chocolate sprinkles. (For best results refrigerate up to 30mins or an hour before serving to ensure the cake is sturdy and the icing has begun to harden.)   

 

(Tip; This cake can be made and iced up to two days ahead, kept covered in the fridge).

Enjoy!

 
(Pictures below!)

 

Don't forget to tag me on instagram (@apesjackson) and on twitter (@aprilroseo) if you recreate this spectacular occasion cake. Comment below if you have any other scrummy recipes I should give a whirl.

If you enjoyed this recipe be sure to check out my birthday cake Cappuccino and Chocolate Birthday Cake Recipe or my Blueberry and Lemon loaf cake for something a little more tart but no less satisfying and a show stopper for the summer months. 

 

Hope you enjoyed, 

 

Much love,  -A
Xx

That's all for now folks,

 

XOXO -A

<3 

Summer Blush Fashion Edit.

Classic button through and elegant pastel pink.

Who said casual can't be sophisticated? Stick to the classics and pump up the pretty and be pretty in pink.

Today, being the typical girl doing some online shopping or shall I say browsing... and lusting over the current fashion trends, from swish and statement too cool and casual, I found myself wanting to do a fashion orientated blog post including some of my current obsessions and loves.

For those of you that don't know me, pink is my fave colour (which you can probably tell if your familiar with any of my social media platforms and just by the design of blog...), however it's also the perfect compliment to summer. Stun in the sun with the versatile cute to grungy colour of the season.  

 

Stand out with pastel and charm in the classics with this outfit and style edit.

Pairing the classic button through skirt in white denim with a cute & fun but ever so elegant over shoulder top. Matched with a statement pointy toe shoe that screams chic and an 'I don't care' vibe black nail polish with 'a touch of elegance' lilac accent nail.
 

       Outfit:      

Button Through White Denim Mini Skirt

Pink Off the Shoulder Top

Black and White Flannel Shirt

 

  Accessories:  

Pointed Toe Shoes Black or Black and Silver

Black across body bag, Skinnydip Cat Across Body or Skinnydip Milk Across Body

Assorted Rings

Olivia Burton Black Leather Watch

Black Nail Polish with Lilac Accent Colour

Pastel Hair Slides
 

 

 

 

 

   Similar Items and Occasion Variations:  

Similar items and other accessories to match with this look, dressing the outfit up or down...

[To shop the look click images, items and links will also be listed below.]

 

 

   Links:   

- Emilio Cavallini Vertical Dots Ankle Socks and Powder Pink Heeled Sandals

- Skinnydip Cat Across Body

- Top with Mesh and Pretty Floral Embellishment

- Pink Dahlia Blouse With Pleat Trims

 - Munchkin Ballet Flats

-Tanned Heeled Sandals

- Warehouse Printed Pink Floral T-Shirt

-Black Buckled Heeled Sandals
- Asos Vintage Style Floral Applique Clutch Bag

 

 

As always, I hope you enjoyed this blog post and have many a successful online shops in the future. If you end up buy any of the above looks or pieces comment below or tag me on instagram and twitter. (I:@apesjackson and T:@aprilroseo). I'd love to see what combinations you come up with!

Much love,  -A
Xx



That's all for now folks,

 

XOXO -A

<3

Girls Day In.

Tuesday Newsday's a Girls Day In.   

Its been a while since my last Tuesday Newsday, but fear not... a new post has come at long last.

For this Tuesday Newsday I thought I'd share the 'Girls Night Out' opposite. Sometimes (and I know I defiantly...) prefer to just stay in and-

 

 chill out

... with of course great company. A.k.a your wackiest and somehow closest friends, which in my case is 'the girls'.

So, for my most recent 'Girls Day In'  we spent the afternoon making Quick Pitta Pizzas; a fun, no fuss, quick but all the more tasty lunch (and under 300 kcals- not that it matters on a day off... ;)) with a naughty indulgence after of cookies! or to be more precise, Tanya Burrs Chocolate Cookies. Which are absolutely cheeky but that just makes them doubly scrumptious!

 

For the Quick Pitta Pizzas:

 

Serves 4

5 mins prep & 10 mins cooking

 

Ingredients:

 

Wholemeal Pitta Breads

Tomato Puree

Sliced Mushrooms

Tomatoes

Mozzarella Cheese

Dried Mixed Herbs

Pinch Black Pepper

(+ Any other preferred pizza toppings)

 

 

What to do:

Being the perfect quick, light meal its pretty straight forward and easy to do.

 

 

1. Just preheat the oven to 190C.

2. Start with spreading the tomato puree, layer on your chosen toppings. Sprinkle over mixed herbs and pepper.

3. Bake for 10-12 mins until the cheese is melted and bubbling away.

 Serve with Salad.

And hey presto the perfect girls day in light lunch!

 

 

 

For the Cookies:

 

Check out Tanya Burr's Chocolate Cookie Recipe here!

 

 

(I added chocolate and mint Aero balls, Cadbury's giant chocolate buttons and white chocolate chips. The great thing about this recipe is you can load it full of what ever chocolate bars, dried fruit, marshmallows and fave chocolate you've got lying around! (Anything works, so get creative!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, I hope you enjoyed this blog post and plan your next girls day in soon! If you've tried out any of the mentioned recipes comment below or tag me on instagram and twitter. (@apesjackson and @aprilroseo). I'd love to see what creations you've come up with! Why not tag +Tanya Burr too!

Much love,  -A
Xx



That's all for now folks,

 

XOXO -A

<3