Happy New Year....

It's the last day of the year, and what a wild and wonderful year it's been. Thank you for your comments and support throughout 2010, but here's to looking forward to 2011 - a brand new year filled with the promise of new beginnings....

Wishing you all a happy new year - where ever you may be.....
Lady Peach
xXx

Baby it's cold outside....

Jacket - Santa

Top - Penneys

Leggings - Penneys

Boots - Dorothy Perkins

Lady Peach

xXx

Christmas Pud Cupcakes

Ingredients:

225g Margarine (at room temperature)

225g Caster Sugar
4 Eggs
340g Self-Raising Flour

2 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder
Dessertspoon of hot water

Icing

Icing Sugar

Roll Out Icing

Red/Green Food dye

Method for Cupcakes:

• Step 1: Preheat oven to 200° C. Gather all ingredients, place paper cases into tins.
• Step 2: Cream margarine and sugar until pale and fluffy
• Step 3: Beat eggs and add slowly to the mixture
• Step 4: Sieve the flour and cocoa powder and slowly add to the mixture, if you feel the mixture is too dry add a dessertspoon of hot water.
  
• Step 5: Fill the bun cases with the mixture using dessertspoons. Make sure to use a spatula to scrape the bowl well.
• Step 6: Bake on the middle or top shelf for 15-20 minutes
  
• Step 7: Cool on a wire tray

To decorate:

Simply cut a chunk of roll out icing sugar. Mix a drop or two of green dye to it and start mixing it with your hands (to get the dye evenly spreadthroughout it). Then roll it out. Cut out the leaves and place on a plate.
For the red berries, cut out a smaller piece of roll out icing sugar and add a drop or two and start mixing again. Then roll into a small little ball and take tiny pieces to start making small little berries. Then, place over the leaves.

Mix the icing sugar with water (as you can see my icing was not really thick enough - so add it slowly!!) Then place the leaves and berries on top....

Lady Peach
xXx

To Lady Peach Readers....

A very Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Lady Peach
xXx

Simple 'Christmas Edition'

1. Simply need to make..

2. Simply love this Christmas tree....

3. Simply LOVE this movie...

no matter how much I watch it - It never gets old!!

4. Simply cute Christmas nails....

5. Simply gorgeous....

6. Simply beautiful Christmas Wreaths....

7. Simply Adorable!!

8. Simply a gorgeous tablesetting...

9. Simply tiny stockings...how cute!

10. Simply a classic...

Lady Peach
xXx

Wedding Inspiration....

The backs of the chairs...oh I die!!


The flowers = stunning!!

Love the idea of a dessert table!

Lady Peach
xXx

Big Shout Out To....

Blau Von T from Blaubushka

Aisling from Think What You Like

Rhona from Rose Tinted Uncertainty

Dawn from Skinni Peach

Laura Marie from Glam Glue

Sian from Blondorexic

I can't thank these lovely ladies enough for such wonderful guest posts!!

I'm back!! Missed you all so much but this week expect some Christmas posts, a Wedding post and even a recipe post :)

Lady Peach

xXx

Guest Post

Dear Santa, I can explain

Let's be honest Santa,

I've been a very naughty girl. I didn't mean to be. I didn't want to be. I tried to do the right thing. I tried to resist the rugged men, all the rugged men. I tried to be sensible with whiskey but we just got on so well. I tried to wear practical and ladylike clothes, but leather and silk proved far more alluring. Rugged men, whiskey and silk well that cant but lead me down the wrong path.

That Rugged Man.

The Leather and silk.

I hope you can forgive me little indiscretions, if not well...there's a a bottle of whiskey awaiting you, and Santa I'm still wearing that silk, for now.

Blau von T,

Blaubushka

Guest Post

Things I'm Loving Right Now

I know Lady Peach herself has done this type of post before, and I always love them and find inspiration in them, so I thought I’d attempt one as a guest post.

Garnier’s Roll-on thingy

Right, now I’m not one for making a fuss over a product for no reason, BUT… I have actually never seen my face look fresher and more awake than when I roll this bad boy on in the mornings. The new one has tinted moisturiser in it. If you haven’t got one already, GET ONE. Seeya later dark circles!

Scoozi’s Restaurant in Cork

As a Dublin girl living in Cork, I rely upon Cork natives to show me the what, where and who in my new adopted city. I was taken to Scoozi’s on Winthrop Lane the other night and LOVED it. The food is homely and yum, big portions too, and not too expensive. The service was the friendliest EVER and they let us sit there as long as we wanted without throwing dirty looks. Result!

Heat Magazine’s Captions

I know, Heat doesn’t even come into the same league as Vogue or Elle, but for pure, unadulterated celeb trash, there’s no magazine better. And whoever writes their captions is a comic genius. For instance, Victoria Beckham is pictured with a heavily made-up Barry Manilow, and the heading reads “Posh adopts giant hamster”. He REALLY looks like a hamster.

THIS outfit on Olivia Palermo

My god, this woman can wear clothes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her NOT looking stunning. Her personality leaves a lot to be desired, but who cares when she looks like that?! She makes it look so effortless too. Jealous. Ugh.

Ellie Goulding’s version of Your Song

I never thought I’d find an Elton John cover that I liked (as Elton’s number one fan, I prefer when the man himself sings his classics) but Ms Goulding absolutely kills it with her rendition. And it’s made it onto the next Radio One Live Lounge album… are you listening Santa?

Holly and Fearne’s Cosmo Cover

Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton are the ultimate best friends. They’re famous, popular and have no end of amazing clothes at their disposal. But they still seem totally down to earth. Their interview in January’s edition of Cosmopolitan makes me love them even more.

This picture

I just think that saying is relevant at the moment and makes you realise that we’re all in the same (sinking) boat. But at the same time reminds us to be positive and get on with things, and it’ll all blow over.

Aisling

http://thinkwhatyoulike.wordpress.com/

Guest Post

Ok ladies, it's cold! But that doesn't mean we can't show off our pins. In tights of course. I am so happy with the tights I'm seeing everywhere this season. It's all grown up and elegant with a little bit of fun. So here are just a few of my favourite ones at the moment... Hope you likey!

Asos

The online store Asos has loads to choose from, I had to be ruthless when choosing. I seriously want all three pairs that are shown above, especially the "love" ones. I just feel they would make any plain LBD so much more interesting and cool. My only problem with these tights is they're "one size" which is a bit iffy for me, how do I know if it'll fit... But I think I'd risk it for a biscuit, because I love them. And they are very, very decently priced, around €13 or so.

Topshop

This pair is from Topshop. I love that these tights are the mullet of the tights world, business in the front party in the back. All nice and sheer from the front and some attitude when you're walking away. Just what you want!

If you wish to splurge on a pair of tights I recommend Falke. They make gorgeous tights that always have something a little bit different about them. These houndstooth tights have a little bit foral/tattoo design on them but are not too mad... Would wear these to glam up a Christmas day outfit. You can find these on Asos as well as other online shops.

Also wander into Penneys, they have a great selection this season. Unfortunately I couldn't find any pictures but do take my word for it.

So whatever the weather don't be afraid to make your legs the focal point with a a great pair of tights. I know I will.

Rhona x

www.rosetinteduncertainty.blogspot.com

Guest Post

My moisturiser obsession……

Greetings to all you lovely Lady Peach readers. My name is Dawn, a fellow blogger and Peach-ette from SkinniPeach.com. Lady P has asked me to do a little guest post for her blog as she has a pretty nose stuck in her books, studying away like a mad woman!

When I was asked to do a guest post I thought, what the hell am I going to write about? Beauty is my thing and smearing the next big thing on my face is my cup of tea. But what’s my ultimate beauty obsession?? It has to be moisturisers!

I’ve always had a huge interest in beauty products. I remember being around six and my favourite past-time was watching my mum cleanse and moisturise her skin, watching attentively as she massaged her potions into her face, dabbing ever so lightly around her eyes and using upwards movements under her chin (to prevent a sagging jowl of course!). Her skin looked soft and had that distinctive smell of Johnson’s ph 5.5 cream. When she left the room I’d sit in front of the mirror and slap dollops of her creams onto my face, mimicking all her movements. I have the same little memories from my grandmother. I’d watch her paint her nails a bright red, nourish her skin with Olay’s original pink moisturiser, lightly shade in her eyebrows and apply her signature red lipstick on her lips AND cheeks. “Why are you putting LIPSTICK on you face nanny?” I asked her with my high pitched inquisitive voice, “because it gives a lovely rosy glow to my cheeks” she said and now to this day you will catch me dabbing some lipstick on my cheeks on nights out when my blusher is to bulky to bring out in my clutch!

When I approached my teens I’d spend my money on face masks and spot creams, believing every claim listed on the back of the tub. If the cream claimed it would make me fly I would have believed it 100% and more! I was obsessed with achieving the perfect canvas on my face and analysed everyone’s skin I came across, probing them about what products they used.

Fast forward to the present day and I have taken my interest (or obsession, whatever you want to call it) with products to another level. I inspect the ingredients on the back of a tub and research into what its function actually is in the cream…and this is where the disappointment comes in. Very few creams live up to their claims. Many of the products you’ll find on the average shelf are massed produced with mounds of nasty chemicals and preservatives added for good measure. Next time you’re looking at the ingredients in a pot of moisturiser check out the first 3 – that’s what your moisturiser is made up of. I’ve tried an artic truck load of moisturisers and there are only a few that top my list. You won’t find any Lancôme or even Clarins included in my top picks - they usually have the same make up as your average tub of Nivea – natural moisturisers are the way to go in my books, with minimal ingredients that have a direct effect on your skin.

1. Pai Geranium & Thistle Moisturizer for Combination Skin – The Pai skincare range is some of the freshest on the market, with most bottles only containing less than 8 ingredients. This moisturiser is loved by celebs worldwide and used on fashion shoots thanks to its ability to give a shot of moisture without leaving the skin greasy. It’s a gem and a cult classic in my books! www.paiskincare.com

2. Korres Wild Rose 24hr Moisturiser – Korres is a Greek brand with a cult following. Although not 100% it does have some fantastic ones, and a hefty amount too like Wild Rose Oil, Grape Seed Extract and Olive Oil. My skin feels so so gorgeous when I use this gem. It also has SPF 6, not the highest, but better than nothing! www.cultbeauty.co.uk

3. Skin Essentials by Mariga Daily Nutrient Serum – not a moisturiser as such, but serums offer the best moisturising abilities in town! This little potion is packed to the brim with peptides and is super concentrated so only the littlest amount is needed. This has a place in my makeup bag for years to come yet. Since using this everyday under my moisturiser my skin is getting better and better everyday. Its Irish grown too in Wexford…keeping it local like!! www.wexforbeautysalon.com

So there you have some of my top picks. Believe me, I could go on for hours here, but I don’t want to take up to much Lady Peach space! Now, don’t get too carried away with me here. I’m very aware that products can only do so much for your skin and some lovely’s I know use nothing but water on their faces yet have the most beautiful skin of all. But I do believe that if you take care of your skin using effective products, nothing too fancy, keeping it simple, it will thank you in the long run. In my opinion toners and eye creams should be given the boot and a simple cleanse, a nice bit of nourishment and some protection in the form of SPF will do the jobby just right!

Dawn

http://skinnipeach.blogspot.com

Guest Post

FESTIVITIES ON A BUDGET; His & Hers

So, Christmas is finally here. The sparkly fairy lights, the deliciously warm aromas lingering in the air, the often very rewarding spirit of giving.. But what to give is the question? Ever been completely stumped when it comes to Christmas shopping? Especially when you don't have the facility of a bottomless bank account to delve into. I know I have. But hopefully this year will be different! Here are just a few suggestions, but there are heaps more where these came from.

Guys;

In my opinion, it's usually guys that are particularly difficult to shop for. Brothers, dads, boyfriends, guy friends, you name it, they seem to a) already have everything or b) not be interested in anything you've pondered over buying them for so long. So why not get them one of these beauties? They're bound to be tickled.

Head Massager- €8 from Urban Outfitters.

(I have tried this out- it is amaaazing.)

A168WA-1YES Digital Timer- £20 from Casio.

Despite the fact that this is a man's watch, I have it in gold! I think perhaps the silver one is more masculine though..

Multi Pattern socks- £7 from Happy Socks.

I think these are available from Urban Outfitters or Brown Thomas as well, and they come in a million colours and patterns!

Vinyls- I know this is what my boyfriend wants for every birthday/Christmas/occasion.

iPlunge iPhone stand- $5.99 from perpetualkid.com.

How cool is this?

Girls;

As a girl myself, I enjoy receiving little, pretty things as gifts. The more sparkles, lace and silk, the better. There are plenty of gorgeous little gifts out there for girls, far more than for guys I think, you just have to know where to look.

Fairest Frame Set- €33 from Urban Outfitters.

(my uncontested favourite of the lot!)

Stripe Floral vest & shorts- £16 from Topshop.

You can't really go wrong with pyjamas, can you?

Haiku teacups- $20 (each) from teaspoonsandpetals on etsy.com

I think that teacups are quite a girly thing, and these haiku teacups I found on Etsy are adorable!

Autumn Rose Print Mini- £6 from Topshop.

I just love buying underwear, so receiving them has to be twice as good!

Sweep Me Off My Feet, Sweep & Define Brush Collection- $49.50 from Mac (if you're feeling really generous.)

I also love the tartan pattern of this new line from Mac.

Happy shopping, and Merry Christmas! XOXO

(by Laura Marie- http://glam-glue.blogspot.com.)