Monday 21 October 2013

3rd Week of October?! | Laura Sivers




Happy Monday lovely people.

These weeks are rolling by so quickly, I don't know where the time goes and I can't believe we're into the third week of October already! I saw someone tweet today that it's 65 days till Christmas which makes me super excited. This past week I have definitely got my Christmas thinking cap on and have been planning lots of Christmassy goodness....my John Lewis basket online is overflowing!! Also this week I made a Christmas cake so it will have 8-9 weeks to "age". Of course I made the cake with spiced rum rather than brandy as why wouldn't you use rum?!! Also the arrival of my Selfridges Advent Calender has got me counting down the days till December 1st! 

October OOTD weekly roundup. Now you may notice that days 19&20 are missing. Day 19 I wore basically the exact same work outfit as day 18 so didn't want to double post then day 20 I forgot to take a photo...sorry! 


Cosmic oversized sweater - Urban Outfitters.
Reindeer leggings - Shikha London (I bought these in a cute boutique shop in my town).
Shanleigh boots - UGG.


Slouch 3/4 sleeve jumper - Urban Outfitters.
Black skater skirt - Primark.
Wool tights - M&S.
Amalia boots - Topshop.
I bought the scarf years ago from a street seller in Brighton - one of my favourite scarves! 


Grey sweater - Topshop.
Black cami vest top - Primark.
Silk print trousers - Urban Outfitters.
Scarf - ASOS.
Bailey button boots - UGG.


Grey sweater - Topshop.
Pussy bow collar dress - Urban Outfitters.
Amalia boots - Topshop.
Scarf - ASOS.
Thigh high socks - American Apparel.
Black tights, leotard & ballet wrap around skirt - Dance Direct.


Leggings - All Saints.
Work uniform - all customised from Blue Print.


Hope you have a fab week!

Laura x







Monday 14 October 2013

Properly Autumn | Laura Sivers


Good morning lovely people!

I think after the week we've just had it's safe to say it is well and truly Autumn! I have to say I haven't been much of a fan of the rain and cold nights but it really is a lovely time of year.

As you know, I love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes - probably my most favourite thing about the season - so I decided to use this as inspiration to bake a Pumpkin Spice Loaf Cake. I bought a small pumpkin and made pumpkin purée from scratch which was a bit of an effort but oh so worth it! The cake tasted amazing - full of spices and fruit and deliciously moist pumpkin. I'll include the recipe at the end of this post. 

So, my October Challenges week 2 update. As you can probably tell from the baking, the no sugar rule has gone out the window. I'm not sure why I ever thought I could do zero sugar, it is impossible! I have however stopped having any sugar in my tea and coffee and have stayed away from biscuits. Cake however is another story! I have been walking a lot each day - averaging about 6 miles per day which isn't quite at my 7 mile mark but I figured I either have dance classes, rehearsals or work most days where I'm dancing around so it makes up for not quite reaching 7 miles.

Now OOTD weekly round up:


Day 7 - 07/10/2013
Red Cable Knit Jumper - Republic (I found this in my brothers wardrobe so I have no idea when he bought it so it may or may not be available!).
Black Denim Biker Shorts - All Saints.
Navy cable knit socks - Primark.
Amalia Lace Up Brogues - Topshop.


Day 8 - 08/10/2013
Cooperative Penny Collar Blouse in Tartan - Urban Outfitters.
Black swing dress - Forever 21 (bought in New York in 2008).
Plum cable knit socks - Primark.
Amalia Lace Up Brogues - Topshop.


Day 9 - 09/10/2013
Linen Viscose Oversize Top - Topshop.
Tartan Skater Skirt - ASOS.
Black socks - no idea where they're from!
Amalia Lace Up Brogues - Topshop.
Wind Up Clock/Pocket Watch necklace - Urban Outfitters.


Burnout Tee, Skull Print Scarf, Daisy Lace Sundress - all from Topshop.
Super cosy tights - Primark.
Bailey Button boots - UGG.


Portere Parka Jacket - All Saints.
Green Polka Dot Skater Dress & Super Cosy tights - both from Primark.
Raspberry Bow Cardigan & Grey Knee High Socks - both from Urban Outfitters.
Bailey Button boots - UGG.


Basic Men's White Tee & Super Cosy Tights - both from Primark.
Cooperative Ditsy Babydoll Dress - Urban Outfitters.
Amalia Lace Up Brogues - Topshop.

Grey Long Slouch Vest & High Rollar Tank - both from Topshop.
Wrap around Cardigan - New Look.
Riding Pants - American Apparel.
Over The Knee Socks - Jack Wills.
Bailey Button Boots - UGG.
Pieces Crille Tube Scarf - ASOS.

Primark super cosy tights are seriously my favourite tights ever, ever time I go shopping I end up buying another pair. They will be what I live in this winter.

And there you go! Hope you all have a lovely week.
Laura x x

Pumpkin Spice Loaf Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup raisins/sultanas
3/4 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup Vegetable oil
2 medium eggs 
1 cup pumpkin purée 
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup self-raising flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Pinch of ground cloves
1/2 cup chopped nuts
3 pieces of ginger in syrup
Spiced rum

Method:
1. Soak raisins/sultanas in warm spiced rum for at least 1 hour.
2. Pre-heat oven to 180c.
3. Mix sugars, oil and eggs in large bowl till combined then mix in pumpkin purée and vanilla.
4. Whisk flour, salt, baking powder and spices in separate bowl then add to wet mixture.
5. Finely chop the pieces of ginger then add to the raisins/sultanas and rum and stir.
6. Drain raisins/sultanas and ginger and gold into mixture.
7. Pour mixture into a greased loaf tin lined with parchment paper and bake for approximately 1 hour.
8. Allow to cool in tin for 15 mins before removing and place on a wire rack to cool completely before serving.





Monday 7 October 2013

Week 1 of October Challenges | Laura Sivers


Hello lovely people.

It was my little brother's 20th birthday on the 1st so I decided to put this cute photo of us in! 

So week 1 of my October challenges....let's just say I've been a bit of a failure! I did really well on the first two days with no sugar and walking 7 miles, then it was our final performance of the summer season shows I've been doing since April so we had a party and yes I are copious amounts of sugar - whoops! From then until now I've been feeling super poorly! I think I'm just exhausted and run down so I've been feeling very sorry for myself. Also I think cutting out sugar completely may have contributed a bit so I've decided to adapt this challenge. I'm just going to limit myself to having one sugary drink or good each day - that should help me cure my sugar addiction but also not make me feel horrendous. 

Now here's the weekly round-up of my outfit of the day posts. I have kept this up even though especially over the weekend I was feeling and looking awful! 


01/10/2013
Cooperative Penny Collar Blouse & Cooperative Ditsy Babydoll Dress - both from Urban Outfitters.
Black super cosy tights - Primark.
Amalia Lace Up Brogue - Topshop



02/10/2013
Pins & Needles Vintage Collar Dress - Urban Outfitters.
Grey 40 denier tights - Primark.
Navy brogues - Office (I got these in 2009 so these exact ones are not available anymore).



03/10/2013
Ruby Rocks Louise Dress Black/Pink - Treds.
Grey wool tights - Accessorize (bought last year).
Alex's Platform Chelsea Boots - Topshop.



04/10/2013
Work uniform t-shirt.
Black jogging bottoms - Primark.
Purple socks - Primark.
Converse All Star Low Black - Office.



05/10/2013
Unisex Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T-Shirt & Riding Pants - both from American Apparel.
Nike Air Force 1 - Office.

06/10/2013
T-Shirt - All Saints (bought last season so again not available anymore).
Maynestone Slim Sweatpant - Jack Wills.
Nike Air Force 1 - Office.


So there is my first week of my ootd posts. I'll post all the links to where you can get these things from below. 

I'm hoping I have a better week health wise this week and I hope you all have a lovely week too! 

Love Laura x x

http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk
https://www.topshop.com
http://www.office.co.uk
http://www.treds.co.uk
http://store.americanapparel.co.uk
http://www.allsaints.com
https://www.jackwills.com