Recipe: Coconut and Lime Cake

Loaves are fast becoming my favourite thing to bake! This time it's a Coconut and Lime cake from Levi Roots. I added my own lime glaze to keep it even more of a zingy kick and changed a few of the ingredients. You can never have too much citrus in a cake!

Ingredients:
175 self-raising flour
1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
175g baking spread
175g caster sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
50g desiccated coconut
Finely grated zest and juice of two limes

For the glaze:
125g icing sugar
Finely grated zest and juice of one lime
4 tsp of water

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Adjust depending on your oven if you have too.

2. Put the flour, butter, bicarbonate of soda, eggs, coconut, caster sugar and lime in a large mixing bowl.

3. Use an electric whisk, start off slowly and then gradually increase the speed. Mix together until the batter looks light and fluffy.

4. Pour the batter into a lined and greased loaf tin before popping in the oven for around 40 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on it as it cooked very quick!

5. Once baked, take it out and leave it to cool for ten minutes in the tin before popping it on a wire rack to cool completely.

For the glaze:
1. Pop all the ingredients into a bowl and mix until you get the desired thickness.

2. Pour over the loaf once it has cooled.

Let me know on Twitter if you decide to make and I'd love to see a picture. Happy baking!

Read more

5 of my favourite cities I've visited

I'd pick a city break over a beach holiday any day. I love emerging myself into the hustle and bustle and seeking out the spots the locals rave about. I've been lucky enough to visit some absolutely fantastic cities over the years but these are the five that have got me wanting more and I've vowed to return one day.

1. Berlin
As a complete history geek, Berlin was a city I just knew I'd love. And I did. So much that I've even go as far to say it's my favourite place I've ever been. It feels cool, intense and new. Full of building sites, you can see that it's a city that's keen on reinventing itself. The Berlin Wall was mind-blowing. It's hard to imagine that this city was divided as recent as 1989 - the year I was born. Its history is seeped in every pore and they're not afraid to show off their past. We never got to experience the nightlife and didn't really do adequate enough research on the restaurants so due a visit back very soon!

2. Chicago
This city grabbed my heart the second I stepped out of hotel at 6am with jet leg on my first day. It was unassuming, friendly and welcoming. It's such an easy city to navigate and the people really can't do enough for you. The stunning skyline had me hook, line and sinker and the boat ride across Lake Michigan was one of my favourite evenings. A real pinch me moment. America is a country that I just adore. It's so similar yet worlds apart. No city in the country is the same.

3. Barcelona
This rebellious city is beautiful and unapologetic. The winding streets of Barrio Gotic, the gorgeous views from the top of Montjuic and the breath-taking Gaudi architecture all made this city feel so alive. It was buzzing every second of the day with people spilling out onto the street from various bars, restaurants and clubs. A week was the perfect amount of time to spend in the Catalan city. Thanks to a beach, it doesn't have to be a hectic time away. I hadn't felt so relaxed in a city before!

4. New York
The Big Apple was a city that I'd dreamed of visiting since I was about ten years old. A city that frequently graces the silver screen so when I arrived I felt like I already knew it's nooks and crannies. But after a few days I realised just how much there was to see. I only just scratched the surface and soaked up the tourist sights so I'd love to go back and really get to know it. It was everything I imagined it would be and more. The Top of The Rock blew me away and the High Line was by far my favourite stroll in the city. I took a wheezy bike ride around Central Park and finally made it to the top of the Empire State Building. The week went by in a blink of an eye.

5. Bruges
I'd been dying to see the Christmas markets in Europe and decided on Bruges. Whilst the markets were a little pants, the city itself was adorable. It's the perfect place for a couple of days away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Most of the main sights can be done in a day so you have the rest of the time to wander around at your leisure. The chocolate box houses, picturesque windmills and quirky pubs all make for a wonderful lazy afternoon.

Read more

OOTD: Winter florals midi dress

Outfit:
Winter floral midi dress: F&F (similar)
Burgundy leather ankle boots: Next (similar)
Grey ombre coat: ASOS (similar)
Poppy red medium Lily: Mulberry (similar)

An afternoon out at The Goring called for a new dress so naturally I had to oblige. This floral number was found at F&F for a mere £25. I loved the slightly 70s feel and and the long sleeves. I just need to dig out my burgundy fedora to complete the look. I say it time and time again but Tesco really is my favourite supermarket for clothes. They always bring out such gems season after season at reasonable prices and good quality.

Well we've well and truly been hit with that cold snap eh? So much for that mild winter that had us all complaining. What I'd do for that now! This weekend I'll be celebrating nine years with my boyfriend and scratching my head at how it's been so long. We've got a hotel booked in East London for Saturday night, cocktails and a Hozier gig in South London before a late brunch at Duck and Waffle on the Sunday. Something I'm so excited for. I've been dying to get a table booked there for months. Those views from the Heron Tower *insert heart eyed emoji|*.

Read more