Iced tea + cupcakes.

Relaxing on Christmas Eve with my homemade Hummingbird Bakery vanilla cupcake and a refreshing glass of homemade iced green tea. I love creating blends and coming up with quirky iced tea ideas at work (I work in a tea shop) and this one is one of my favourites. It’s so quick and simple and all it needs is a few strawberries for some colour. I’ll be drinking this all day every day this summer Zero sugar too, so you’ll feel less guilty if you do what I do and pair it with a cupcake

Photo copyright Emily Rees 2011.

Hummingbird cupcakes.

My first attempt at a recipe from my new Hummingbird Bakery cookbook! I’ve never used such a perfect and 100% accurate recipe before. I had exactly enough batter and the cupcakes rose to exactly the right height–that never happens when I make cupcakes! They were divine too, so fluffy and light. It was the perfect way to spend the first day of my (far too short) Christmas break and provided a much needed opportunity to take my mind of everything that’s been happening over the last couple of weeks.

Photos copyright Emily Rees 2011

Beyonce.

I don’t usually get into rnb music, infact most of it makes me cringe. I can usually always make an exception for Beyonce though. What is it about her that’s just so awesome? I love (most) of the songs on her latest album, but Schoolin’ Life is probably my fave. It’s such a great 80′s style feel good dance track. Here are the lyrics, look it up on YouTube if you haven’t heard it yet.

This is for them 20-somethings
Time really moves fast, you were just sixteen…
This is for them 30-somethings
That didn’t turn out exactly how your mom and dad wanted you to be.
This is for them 40-somethings
Well raise up your glass and laugh like a mutha fucker
This is for them 50-somethings
Hell, you’re halfway there, baby take it to the head

Mom and dad, tried to hide the world
Said the world’s just too big for a little girl.
Eyes wide open, came to see
I had my first heels by the age of 13
Mom and dad, tryna hide the boys,
I swear that just make them want me more.
At 14, they asked what I wanna be,
I said “Baby 21, so I’d get me a drink.”

I’m not a teacher, babe
But I can teach you something
Not a preacher
But we can pray if you wanna
Ain’t a doctor
But I can make you feel better
But I’m great at writing physical love letters
I’m a freak, all day, all night
Hot, top, flight
Boy I’m out of sight
And I’m crazy, all day, all night
Who needs a degree when you’re schoolin’ life…

This is for them pretty somethings
Living in the fast lane, see you when you crash babe
This is for them sexy somethings
That body ain’t gonna always get ya out of everything
This is for them bitter somethings
Stop living in regret, baby, it’s not over yet
And this is for them trippin somethings
That’s high on life, baby, put me on your flight

I’m not a teacher, babe
But I can teach you something
Not a preacher
But we can pray if you wanna
Ain’t a doctor
But I can make you feel better
But I’m great at writing physical love letters
I’m a freak, all day, all night
Hot, top, flight
Boy out of sight
And I’m crazy, all day, all night
Who needs a degree when you’re schoolin’ life

You know it costs to be the boss
One day you’ll run the town
For now make your life what you decide
Baby, party til the fire marshall shuts this sucker down

I’m not a teacher, babe
But I can teach you something
Not a preacher
But we can pray if you wanna
Ain’t a doctor
But I can make you feel better
But I’m great at writing physical love letters
I’m a freak, all day, all night
Hot, top, flight
Boy out of sight
And I’m crazy, all day, all night
Who needs a degree when you’re schoolin’ life

There’s not a real way to live this, for real
Just remember stay relentless… oh yeah, oh yeah
Don’t stop running until it’s finished, yeah yeah
It’s up to you, the rest is unwritten. yeah, yeah, yeah

My motto for the week.

Common Addictions.

Ahh! Too true.

Yum.

Nail Polish Wardrobe.

Audrey.

Crystal.

This could be a very crafty decoration/storage idea for jewellery. Love!