Recipe: Jamaican Ginger Cake

This recipe is taken from the Levi Roots Reggae Reggae Cookbook. I have slightly adapted it as I already had the ingredients in the fridge!

Ingredients:
100 grams of unsalted butter cubed plus extra for greasing the loaf tin
100 grams of dark soft brown sugar
3 tbsp golden syrup
150 ml of milk
1 large egg
150 grams of plain flour
Fresh root ginger - the recipe states to use 2 tsp of ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp of bicarbonate of Soda
75 grams of fruit cake mix - the recipe states to just use raisins but we had a packet of fruit cake mix hanging around!

 001. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees celsius / Gas Mark 2 / 300 degrees fahrenheit. Grease the loaf tin generously. Place the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a pan and heat gently until it has fully melted. Don't forget to stir!

 002. Add the milk and pour the mixture into a jug. Leave to cool for a few minutes. Then add the egg.

 003. Shift the flour, ginger, cinnamon and Bicarbonate of Soda into a large mixing bowl. Pour in the wet ingredients and carefully mix together. Then add the raisins - mine looks a bit pathetic as I forgot to take a picture and had to add a few more in ha!

004. Pour the cake mixture into the tin and cook for around an hour. I only cooked for 50 minutes as I have a fan oven. Pesky things! A clever way to test to see if it's cooked is to place a skewer into it and if it comes out clean it's all good to go!

 005. Place the cake on the wire rack and leave to cool before tucking in!

Admittedly it looks a tad burnt on top. Thanks again fan oven. But it was so moist inside and got a thumbs up from my boyfriend who would eat ginger cake like it's going out of fashion. I'd totally make this again - although not for a little while yet as it's no weightwatchers friendly!

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I'm going to paint you by numbers and colour you in

Outfit:
Denim Shirt: c/o Ellos
White v-neck t-shirt: Primark
Dusty pink skinny jeans: Primark
White plimsols: Vans

I meant to get this post ready last week but I was blessed with a stinking cold - I don't seem to get the sniffle but full on head cold where it feels like it's going to fall off - and I was also taken by suprise by a job offer! More on that later!

This was the denim shirt I was kindly gifted by Ellos. I've been after the perfect denim shirt for ages. I wanted one that was just the right shade, fitted enough to look right tucked in but not too fitted it looks silly undone and just the right length to not make me feel awkward about my child-bearing hips. This Ellos one ticked all the boxes! It has the perfect amount of stretch and feels lovely and soft on my skin. Once agin I think it's going to be a staple - everyone needs a denim shirt in their wardrobe. Ellos actually have a cracking sale on at the minute which is well work a little splurge!


So I have a job. A proper full-time permenant job on a magazine! To be honest I was beginning to think this day would never come. It's been a hard year doing internships since I left Uni and being offered short-term contracts here and there. I craved the stability so that I could get one foot on the career ladder and start moving up in the world. I actually went for this job last year but unfortuately didn't get it. I received a phone call last week to state I was actually second choice for the job and as the orginial candidate had left, was I interested in it! Needlessly to say I was shocked. My full title will be junior picture researcher on Love It! magazine and I can't wait to get my teeth stuck in. It shows if you have a dream, never ever give up. It might take a long time getting there but it will come true in the end. You've just got to have a little faith!

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Top five bootsale finds

The next in the series of my top five is gems i've managed to hunt down at bootsales. I'm a sucker for a bootsale and my mother and I try try to go them as often as we can. We both love a bit of secondhand junk! 

001. This has to be my all time favourite find at a bootsale. It was just 50p and I absolutely love it! It was in quite poor condition but my dad painted the frame and nailed the flyaway bits together - it came out just like brand new!

002. I've suddenly gone into full on nesting mode and have been buying bits and pieces for my future home. I have no intention of starting to save for at least another two years but best to be prepared though right? It might not be there by the time I move out - my dad doesn't agree with me! This is a little bit worn but I just think it adds to its charm. It's perfect for dinner parties!

003. I get so much wear out of this collar necklace, it seems to go with everything. I think i've definately had my money out of out for just a £1. Like i've said before you can get some proper gems at bootsales - they're perfect for magpies like me!

004. I dread to think how many brooches I own - i'm always picking one up here and there. I really think they can make an outfit and love to pop them on coats to add something a little extra. I pick up these three for only 50p each and admittedly I haven't worn them yet but they are so pretty! The three pearl one is my favourite.

005.This beauty was only £2. Bargain or what?! I've never heard of the make before but it feels such good quality. It's not often I find clothing at boot sales, it tends to be mainly bric and brac. Admittedly I've not actually worn it yet as I'm not a frequent jeans wearer but it's never going to go out of fashion - I've got plenty of time to wear it!

What's your best boot sale buy?

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