A Grateful Heart #3- Friends

Today I am grateful for my friends.

After starting University, I know how hard it is to keep relationships with some of your closest friends. Moving out and making new friends is amazing but the further you live out the less time you evidently spend with some of your old school mates. However when it gets to Christmas and Summer, I get to see them again and it is like they had never left..it is awesome!

What I am trying to get at (haha) is that this past weekend and Summer I have got to spend time with a few of them that I don't get to see everyday, especially when the gloomy uni term starts. We all decided to go on a "final" night out and enjoy down some deathly drinks (The Jager bomb..urgh). The thing I love about my friends is that despite what kind of mood I am in, they never fail to make me laugh or distract me from the "things" that are going on in my life. I am grateful for my friends. Some of them are probably reading this right now..so thanks guys hah! <3

If you want to take part in this Grateful Heart link up, you can at Embergrey's blog, which you can view here. :)

What are you grateful for this week?

The Student Wishlist..

Hello fellow students..which I am guessing you are if you have clicked on this little linky link ha. Hope you have all had a great weekend! 

It's getting near that time where students "like myself" are moving into their accommodation. NERVOUS! I have created a little wishlist of some bits and bobs I have had my eye on over the internet and want to share with you. Sometimes browsing on the web can help you decide on how you want your room to look and pinterest has been amazing recently on giving me great ideas! If you are lacking inspiration, I would definitely get your ass on pinterest! :) Here's a link to my pinterest.

Sotblomster Quilt Cover- Ikea

I love this pattern! I can imagine these bed sheets in a room with white walls and loads of grey cushions!!

Map of the World Memo Board- Not on the high street 

I have been dying to get my hands on a decorated memo board, just like this one. They have some lovely ones on the website. If you are feeling artsy then there are bijillions of videos on how to make one on Youtube.

Black Aztec Scarf- River Island

Not exactly a student home wishlist item. However I love this scarf, especially with the yellow stitching. 

Cacti- Ikea

Beautiful to place on shelves and they do not require so much attention! 

Moleskine Notebook- Paperchase

I love Moleskine notebooks and have adapted the bullet journal method in mine. Check out this link here if you are interested in creating a planner to fit you. More will be revealed on a blog post in the next coming week. 

Elephant Lamp- Urban Outfitters

This lamp is so unique and having spotted this on Urban Outfitters..I need it in my life.

White Grid Backpack- Newlook

This isn't really a pattern I would go with when it comes to a bag. However I love this one. It is monochrome *surprise* and would match any outfit. 

What things are on your student wishlist? If you are not a student, then what is on your homeware wishlist? :)

That's the way the Cookie Crumbles..

I hope I have got your taste buds tingling! ;) mwahah

So recently I have been in a very "baking" mood. I have no idea whether it is the fact that Great British Bake Off has been on our screens for a few weeks now (Wednesday's 8pm BBC1) or the fact my friend Rosie keeps updating her blog with edible awesome-ness. You can check her out here.

All this aside, I decided to do some gluten and dairy free cookie research and make my own. Using "Gluten Free Cuppa Tea's" recipe, I went for it. I am not the best baker so they do not look absolutely amazing but I definitely gave it a good try, even though the majority of them stuck to the grease proof paper and crumbled like mad. Ha! These cookies were still delicious and I have ate near enough all of them since I baked them a couple of days ago. Dangerous territory I say. They are that good you wouldn't even be able to tell they are both gluten and dairy free. Oooh. 

Here's the recipe and how I adapted it to be all dairy free too if you wanted to give it a go.

Ingredients:

115g butter. I used Pure's Sunflower Spread as a dairy alternative

100g caster sugar

100g brown sugar

1 egg

190g Dove's gluten free flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder (gluten free)

3/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum (this helps everything to bind)

Tiny bit of almond milk to create a good texture

4 little bags of dairy and gluten free chocolate buttons from Morrisons! :)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 190 degrees and either grease a few baking trays or line them with grease proof paper.

2. Mix together the sunflower spread and sugar. 

3. Add the egg.

4. Add the flour, xanthan gum and baking powder.

5. This is where I added a bit of almond milk to give a sticky texture.

6. Add the chopped chocolate buttons or any chocolate of your choice.

7. Drop tea spoons of the mix on the trays. Make sure they are separated enough so they do not stick together once cooked.

8. Place them in the oven to cook for 8-10 minutes.

9. Leave them to cool, so they harden up and don't crumble as easily. 

10. Eat Eat Eat! :)

Do you like baking? If so, what are your favourite things to whip up in the kitchen? :)