Rosey Red Piped Cupcakes

Evening foodies,

I may have mentioned in my last post that as well as doing orders I am determined to bake one thing a week off my personal bucket list of favourites and believe me the list is long! Last week I finished some cute, little, rose piped cupcakes, for my boyfriend's mum's birthday. Sadly, this weekend I have been super poorly, but I am on with a few super sweet Valentines treats, so do watch this space!

Vanilla & Almond cupcakes...

What is your opinion on Valentines day then foodies? Do we celebrate it or is it another waste of money? I mean, personally, I think it is a great excuse for more cake?! Not that I really need an excuse, to be fair.  Answer on the poll above, I am intrigued to see what you guys think!

If you are game for some Valentines cakey loving, what are you going to be baking up for your sweetheart? Share your ideas! I will be blogging about mine super soon...

 Almond...

Vanilla...

  Simple rose piped and topped...

  Little box display...

Rose petal piping...

 

Ps check out these cute little earrings :) Faye from Keep Your Fork, where I also work as a marketing assistant, got me them with a dual meaning - I am sure you can guess!

Keep calm & practice pretty piping.


Love,

Jess xo

The Joys of June so far...

Evening my fabulous foodies, or should I say early morning!

More and more these days I'm turning into a night owl, the more work I get, the less sleep I seem to allow myself! BUT...the sun has had his little straw hat on, in the last two weeks, so I have made a little time to catch up with friends and utilise 'lunchtime', as me time. I cannot say I have tanned particularly, mind you!

Although I'm not quite this tiny...never trust a skinny baker ey!

I thought May was manic, but boy was I wrong! June is THEE month, I think, lots of time consuming tasks and tasters of whats to come.

The 1st June saw me off retail work, poorly with sinusitis and debilitating back pain, which sadly still has not gone! And really, nobody has time for that! Having an afternoon to try recover, I could not lay in bed and decided to work in my Pjs, as time is money in one view, but also time is lost, if not spent wisely.

Thursday brought the graduation party of Faye Smith, at Keep Your Fork's Brand Booster Bitesize course, which was fantastic. We shared delicious nibbles, including Jamie Oliver recipe burgers, in bitesize buns, and homemade Bakewell slices. It was a great chance to get to know a lot of the clients I do work on behalf of, but also to network with like-minded, enthusiastic people, willing to support and share ideas. Let's put it this way, I may have a fabulous wedding connection, as a potential chief supplier!! If you're looking for wedding planning in the North, check out Karen at Kurly Bird Events...

Faye, Mel (my new intern!) and I at the Graduation Event.

The following friday I got the chance to support Faye, from Keep Your Fork PR & Marketing, as she was nominated as a finalist for the Sue Ryder Award in business. It was an amazing experience, with over 650 women celebrating female entrepreneurial success and outstanding achievements, so uplifting and inspiring. Although Faye did not win her category, this time, she was still a winner in my heart, supporting and guiding not only myself, but many businesses in Sheffield and afar, helping them to succeed and achieve their dreams. I felt honoured to be invited and cannot wait to submit more entries for others that truly deserve the recognition.

Awards line up :) Faye in the RED!

Speaking of awards, the Guardian's Observer Food Monthly Award are taking nominations and I am greatly pushing to get my blog seen by more readers. I would really appreciate your support and encouragement, as without you guys, I'm just a lonely obsessed foodie! Sharing is caring and I do wish to give it back to you guys too! You can vote for my blog on...http://www.easyanswer.net/observer/ <3

To finish I'd just like to mention that I am featuring in the Sheffield Star's Style supplement tomorrow, with my Nan's famous chocolate yogurt cake! I have videoed myself baking it this evening and hopefully, with a touch of magic from my partner, the edited version will soon be online for you to see me in action!! I'll keep you guys posted.

Ciao for now foodies, 

Keep calm and remember to recognise and reward the worthy :)

Love and warm wishes, 

Jessica

RVB 

xox

Business Better Than Usual...

Afternoon Foodies :)

I have had a fabulously busy week and I am so excited to be starting my second semester of 2nd year tomorrow! I'm hoping all you foodies have faired ok during the UK snow blanket, it has been rather slippy! The girls and I went into the back garden and built a snow man! If you have any snow pics send them in and share your fun...sadly our snowman's head fell off during the night :( and now he is barely a twig, amongst the grass in the garden.

This week I started my internship with Faye, from Keep Your Fork, Sheffield. What an amazing and truly inspiring individual and I am so lucky to have the chance to work with her. My eyes have been opened to the world of PR and journalism, from not just a business perspective, but from a female business perspective, with the rise of women in business. On Tuesday, I was lucky enough to attend the Natwest Inspiring Women talk, at Sheffield Hallam University, where the female speakers spoke about their work -life balance and struggles in a very male dominated sector. It brought tears to my eyes when one Olympic Table Tennis Champion discussed her struggles against haters, becoming a teacher and an athlete, having two children at home! These people are truly remarkable and I am so honoured to hear their story. Keep an eye out for these events and get yourself along! It is so inspiring...I felt like I needed to get up there and then and start doing something ambitious and life changing! Watch this space, yeah?

In addition, on Thursday I went to a Business for Breakfast meeting, however it was a ladies lunch! We had some fabulous food and I got to meet a selection of local business women, striving to push their business beyond personal contacts, to people in need of their help and services. I had to do a 60 second business pitch, which was ridiculously daunting, but I got a wonderful round of applause and a client wanting a pearl wedding anniversary cake!! Orders and support, what more could a girl want!

To show my respect I also attended a charity auction, last night. It was amazing and I met some beautiful people and lots of money was raised. The charity, Golddigger, is run by two truly inspirational young women, raising money for female trafficking in Sheffield, from girls as young as twelve years! A heartbreaking cause, but it was fantastic to see how many showed up and supported the auction. Get involved yourself at Golddigger Trust <3

Today is National Chocolate Cake Day - so whats on your chocolate cake menu? Vote at the poll above and let us know what you created!!! Yesterday was National Potato Day and I celebrated with little Jersey Potatoes...very yummy! My diet suggests highly against Chocolate Cake, but I must admit...theres always need for cake <3

Keep calm and Bruce Bogtrotter that cake,

Love & Chocolate filled wishes,

RVB

xox