Stephanie.: August 2017

aloha!! just over two months to go until the cruise YAY

i thought i would continue to share my cruise fashion purchases with you, as well as what we have booked and purchased so far in regards to the cruise. hopefully you found my last post on the cruise helpful and inspiring, if you haven't seen it you can view it here.

we haven't booked any more shore excursions as of yet but have booked an 'all access ship tour' upon recommendation; im actually pretty excited for this one as i like to have a nosey and see what goes on behind the scenes.

we have also purchased our drinks packages (hallelujah) but sorry to disappoint we went for the non alcoholic option. we figured this is the best option for us as we aren't huge drinkers and plan on getting up early to exercise etc instead of spending the morning lounging around with a hangover.
the drinks package includes mocktails, specialty coffees, soft drink, juice, bottled water, milkshakes & more. Royal Caribbean had a 4 day special on certain drink packages so we managed to pick it up for $26.60 AUD per day instead of the normal $38.40 AUD per day. so i would definitely recommend hanging out to purchase your package because they generally do little sales as you get closer to the cruise date.
**we do plan on purchasing some alcoholic drinks here and there and are aware of the 12% gratuity on top of those drinks, so just keep in mind that you do have to pay the 12% if you are purchasing any drinks outside the drinks packages.

as for my recent purchases, i have managed to return 2 of the dresses i purchased since my last post and purchased another 3 opps

ASOS Mini Tea Dress in Floral Print: now you may say Steph didn't you purchase this in blue? and i did but decided it looked like my mum picked it out for me when i was 7 so i sent it back and get the red. this time i got it in "petite" as i think it is a better fit for me.
http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-mini-tea-dress-in-floral-print/prd/7865177

Boohoo Floral Embroidered Bardot Dress: (purchased from ASOS) i actually purchased this one as i saw one of my friends wearing it on holiday in Greece and it looked amazing on her however im undecided on how it looks on me haha. its super cute and super summery; once i work out how to make the sleeves not look so long, ill probably wear it over my bathers or
http://www.asos.com/au/boohoo/boohoo-floral-embroidered-bardot-dress/prd/8326984

Luck & Trouble Channel Dress Black: (purchased from the universal store) for once i went and brought something in store (sorry ASOS) this dress is super cute and has an open back WIN. this is exactly the style i have been after so i was super happy with this find. i plan on wearing this one for shore excursions with my billini sandals.
https://www.universalstore.com/luck-trouble-channel-dress-black.html

ZAFUL Padded Knotted Thong Bikini in Burgundy:
this is the first time i have shopped on Zaful but after my friend purchased from them and i realised they werent dodgy i decided to purchase some bikinis. i am obsessed with this colour and style and it was literally like $16 for the set!! amazing!! i got these in a size M
http://www.zaful.com/padded-knotted-thong-bikini-p_302320.html

ZAFUL Solid Color Spaghetti Straps Low Waisted Bikini in Grey:
i watched a Zaful try on haul on Youtube and a girl had brought this set and it looked super cute in person so i thought i would also give it a go, i think this one came in at $12 so good!!! i am little self conscious of my stomach and thighs (note the usual high waisted bikini purchases) but i decided to give something new ago as i figured its only $12 if i completely hate them haha. i got this in a size M aswell
http://www.zaful.com/solid-color-spaghetti-straps-low-waisted-bikini-set-p_190010.html

ZAFUL Low Waisted Spaghetti Strap Bikini in Red:
i think Tammy Hembrow had these on in one of her Youtube videos (correct me if im wrong) so i thought id grab these too plus red always looks good with a tan!! these were also $12 and i got these in a size M too.
http://www.zaful.com/low-waisted-spaghetti-strap-bikini-set-p_251276.html

🙈 if you are on the hunt for super cheap swimwear, summer clothes etc definitely check out Zaful but do read peoples reviews on items before purchasing as they help with size guide & quality of the item.

before i finish off this post i thought i would include some of the 'cruise tips' i have learnt so far:
- get your towels for shore excursions the night before as they go like hot cakes in the morning
- bring a highlighter to highlight your daily 'whats on' info provided by the ship
- buy EURO power adapters as their wattage is closest to Australias
- pack swimwear, sunscreen, a book and whatever you need in a carry on board for the first day on the ship as you don't know when your luggage will reach your room.

until next time
xx

***please note no photos or links are mine, credit is given in links

August 28, 2017 No comments

i have decided to *potentially* start a series of blog posts called "Baking Sundays", this is where ill hopefully be able to share with you what i bake (if they turn out that is)

I have always enjoyed baking and cooking in general but have always been the one out of my siblings to bake even when we were younger, maybe its because i have such a sweet tooth.

This blog post will focus on cookies and crunchie cheesecake.

...and so we begin.

"subway" cookies

if you are like me and love subway cookies, then you will also be dying to know how to make them from home.

i picked up this recipe from my local radio station here in Adelaide's facebook page so i am not sure who the original author is but all credit to them.

i am a sucker for white chocolate and macadamia cookies and of course M&M cookies so they are the two featured in this blog post.

***please note, i wasn't completely successful at this recipe and im not sure why, they tasted delicious however out of the 3 trays i had in the oven 1 burnt, 1 cooked perfectly and the other could of done with a little longer then 7 minutes (see photos for what i mean, i ditched the burnt ones). I'm not sure if i should've rotated them during the 7 minutes or had less in the oven. I also found that the longer you let the mixture sit the sticker and thicker it became making it easier to place them on the tray as described. BUT please don't let this deter you from the recipe they still tasted good, i would still give it ago and see if it turns out better then me***

Makes: 24 Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 7 minutes

Ingredients:
- 1x packet of cake/brownie mix (whatever flavour/brand you want- i am using vanilla)
- 2x eggs
- 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
- optional ingredients; milk choc chips, white choc chips, macadamias, m&m etc

Recipe (super easy):
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius or 392 Fahrenheit
2. Pop everything into a large bowl or kitchen aid and mix together with an electric or hand mix until fully combined
3. Roll the dough into small balls and place onto a lined baking tray (they will get bigger so don't put too many on a tray [maybe 12 per tray] otherwise they will run into eachother)
4. Pop them into the oven for approximately 7 minutes. (they won't seem ready when you pull them out however they will continue to harden as they cool but don't worry they will still be soft like a subway cookie on the inside)

Crunchie No-Bake Cheesecake

all credit for this recipe goes to the wonderful Jane's Patisserie, she makes some pretty spectacular cheesecakes so please go and check her out!! Here is the link to her original recipe: http://www.janespatisserie.com/2015/10/09/no-bake-honeycomb-crunchie-cheesecake/

i found Jane's recipe on twitter actually through someone who retweeted it and i just had to make it. before making this cheesecake i had actually never made a cheesecake from scratch myself so i was excited to see how i would go and how it would turn out. AND let me tell you it tasted amazing !!!! my boyfriend has already asked me to make another.

Not only was the cheesecake super tasty but also soooo easy to make.

NOTE: i did add/change a few things to Jane's recipe so they will be highlighted throughout)

Serves: 12 (depending on your slices)

Ingredients:

Biscuit Base
– 300g Digestives
– 150g Unsalted Butter/Stork, Melted

Cheesecake Filling
– 500-600g Full Fat Cream Cheese
– 125g Icing Sugar
– 1tsp Vanilla Extract
– 300ml Double Cream
– 250g Milk Chocolate, chopped
– 200g-250g Crunchies, chopped – (2×4 multipack = 260g)
– 200g Crunchie Spread
– 50g Chocolate, melted
– 150ml Double Cream
– 2tbsps Icing Sugar
– 3 Crunchies, chopped into 12 pieces
– 1 Crunchie, chopped finely
– 500-600g Full Fat Cream Cheese
– 125g Icing Sugar
– 1tsp Vanilla Extract
– 300ml Double Cream
– 250g Milk Chocolate, chopped
– 200g-250g Crunchies, chopped – (2×4 multipack = 260g)

To Decorate (NOTE: i didn't use the double cream, crunchie spread or icing sugar on my cake as i don't like cream and we don't have crunchie spread here in AUS but totally up to you how decorated)
– 200g Crunchie Spread
– 50g Chocolate, melted
– 150ml Double Cream
– 2tbsps Icing Sugar
– 3 Crunchies, chopped into 12 pieces– 1 Crunchie, chopped finely

Method: i decided instead of rewritting the whole method, i would add in what i did differently/ what i choose to do whilst still giving for credit Jane.

1) To make the Cheesecake Base – melt the butter in the microwave on short bursts (i used mircowave) or in a small pan over a medium heat – Blitz the biscuits in a food processor to a small crumb, add the melted butter, and pulse a few times until it is combined well. Tip into a 8″/20cm Deep Springform Tin and press down firmly – chill in the refrigerator whilst you do the rest!

2) To make the Cheesecake Filling – Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring gently (i melted this way as i find mircowave generally burn my chocolate) or microwave in short bursts until fully melted – leave to cool slightly whilst doing the rest.

3) With an electric mixer (I used my KitchenAid) Whisk the Cream Cheese and Icing sugar until combined – pour in the liquid double cream and continue to Whip the Cream Cheese/Cream Mixture until it is starting to thicken a lot like a Mousse does (I use speed 6/10 on my KitchenAid) i added the vanilla extract here, as there was no mention in Jane's method as to where to add it.

4) Whilst mixing, pour in the melted chocolate and Whip again until thick – It will hold it self completely when finished whipping – It won’t take too long as the chocolate will harden quickly and cause it to thicken.

5) Chop up the second bunch of Crunchies and fold through the mixture (i was confused at this part as when was i suppose the first bunch of crunchies so i just put them all in here, although i had some left over so i do feel like i could have used more) – Pour the mix on to the biscuit base, smooth over, cover, and chill in the fridge for at least 5-6 hours hours or preferably overnight.

6) To decorate the Cheesecake – Remove the cheesecake from the tin, and decorate with some whipped cream, even more crushed Crunchies, and some melted chocolate! i melted some chocolate here and swirled it over the top of the cheesecake i also got out the cheese grater and grated some crunchie and chocolate all over the top to give it more taste (you could even do this before you chuck it in the fridge to set). then just chopped up some crunchies and placed them over the cake.

NOTE

If it looks like your cheesecake isn’t setting, or its a but sloppy, or you’re even not sure.. try it anyway. Try to set the mix anyway! If it still doesn’t set, freeze it and have an Ice Cream Cheesecake! ( i definitely didn't have this issue, mine was thick enough but i think make sure you use double cream instead of thick cream)

all credit to http://www.janespatisserie.com/ definitely check out her blog and youtube!!

i hope you enjoyed this blog post and these yummy treats, i sure did. i am going to try and use the same recipe but make a snickers cheesecake next time and see how i go!

Enjoy xx

August 13, 2017 No comments

Hey guys!!

so its been a while since my last blog post (i have about 4 waiting to be posted i just haven't taken any photos for them so sorry about that but i have decided to start writing posts about my upcoming cruise because i am itching with excitement for it. its not until November so we have a little while yet but honestly i'm mentally packed already.

we are cruising to the South Pacific with Royal Caribbean which is going to be amazing!! fingers crossed the weather is warm, hot and anything sunny.

i thought i would share some things i have started to buy and think about packing aswell as what we have booked in terms of shore excursions as i found there are no blogs anywhere on this type of stuff and to be honest anything cruise related. so here i am in hope that this will help another first time cruiser.

so basically i have been trolling ASOS for the past month or so, looking for swimwear and dresses that scream cruise and summer.

i managed so far to haul; 2 pairs of bathers, 3 dresses, some pjs, shorts and sandals (pray for me as i still have 3 months to look online and find more hahaha) i will link them all below so you can get an idea of what im going for this cruise.

Pimkie Sundress- this colour is too die for!!! im thinking for over bathers around the pool or on a shore excursion
http://www.asos.com/pimkie/pimkie-frilled-hem-sun-dress/prd/8149794

ASOS Chuck On Sun Dress, this is so gorg and i love how they styled it with vans.
http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-chuck-on-dress-in-red-floral-print/prd/8289027?clr=floralprint&SearchQuery=asos+chuck+on+dress&pgesize=9&pge=0&totalstyles=9&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=2

ASOS Mini Tea Dress. i couldnt decided between this colour and the red in this dress but figured i have the red chuck on dress and this looks super cute
http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-mini-tea-dress-in-floral-print/prd/8282419?clr=blackfloral&SearchQuery=tea+dress&pgesize=36&pge=1&totalstyles=103&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=2

ASOS Mom Shorts, a necessity !!!!
http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-denim-mom-shorts-in-luella-midwash-blue/prd/7128492?clr=miidwashblue&SearchQuery=asos+mom+shorts&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=42&gridsize=3&gridrow=7&gridcolumn=2

Wolf & Whistle Snow Leopard Bikini. I saw Zoella wearing this and i needed it, it was sold out for ages and i finally managed to pick it up (i have linked the set then the individuals)
http://www.asos.com/au/wolf-whistle-snow-leopard-print-bikini/grp/15587
http://www.asos.com/au/wolf-whistle/wolf-whistle-snow-leopard-high-waist-bikini-bottom/prd/7975914
http://www.asos.com/au/wolf-whistle/wolf-whistle-snow-leopard-print-bikini-top-dd-g-cup/prd/7975918

Wolf & Whistle Bikini Top. i originally brought a black crop top to go with the bottoms below but it was too small. so got this one instead as i liked the fit of the other wolf & whistle one
http://www.asos.com/wolf-whistle/wolf-whistle-cupped-bikini-top-b-g-cup/prd/7043179?clr=black&SearchQuery=wolf+and+whistle&pgesize=36&pge=2&totalstyles=116&gridsize=3&gridrow=10&gridcolumn=3

Wolf & Whistle high waisted bottoms ***the ones linked arent these ones, i can't find them anywhere but they are similar and were my next choice)
http://www.asos.com/au/asos/asos-mix-and-match-high-waist-bikini-bottom-with-eyelets/prd/7118525?clr=black&SearchQuery=high+waisted+bikini+bottoms&pgesize=18&pge=0&totalstyles=18&gridsize=3&gridrow=4&gridcolumn=2

Billini Cuban. how cute are these i needed them as soon as i saw them!!! (they come in other colours too)
http://www.billini.com/cuban-black-black-pebble

ASOS Dreamy Pyjama Set. when i think of a cruise ship i think of stripes for some reason so i thought it was only fitting my pjs have stripes!!!
http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-dreamy-embroidered-tee-short-pyjama-set/prd/8164178

i have also recently joined a group on facebook for the cruise and the people on there are really helpful and have some great tips (like what powerpoint converters are the best so you arent left charging your phone the whole day or to bring a highlighter for your daily "whats on" memo) so i definitely recommend seeing if your cruise has one and joining. if there isnt one on facebook then try an app called Shipmate, that also provides you with a way to contact people on your cruise for help.

since i am a little OCD and hate to be unprepared (its a little bit of an issue haha), we have already booked our shore excursions, we picked to go on a bicycle tour in Noumea New Caledonia which seems like it will be fun and informative and also exercise which im sure we will need and on a buggy (like a quad bike but not) through the jungle in Vila Vanuatu which im SO EXCITED for. i have shot gunned driving but im not sure how bae will feel about that one eek. Personally i thought the shore excursions booked through the ship are reasonably priced and it also gives you the security of knowing you wont be left behind or cancelled on.
at this stage we have decided to only book those 2 tours and then roam free on the other 3 islands and do our own thing and book little stuff whilst we can. i definitely want to do snorkeling so we shall see!

i hope you enjoyed the little insight into the planning of my cruise, stay tuned as more plans are to come :) xxxxx

***please note no photos are my own, links attached for product/credit

August 08, 2017 No comments

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