Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Butter Cream Icing

Baking is something that I hardly ever do. It is so relaxing and enjoyable but I never make the time for it. Now that my birthday is coming up I want to try out different recipes - plant based of course. So, I decided to make a classic chocolate cupcake with butter cream icing. These are delicious and easy to make; I cannot remember the last time I ate a cupcake! I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. 

For the chocolate batter:
All purpose flour - 1-1/2 cups
Baking powder - 1 tablespoon
Coconut sugar - 1/2 cup
Raw sugar - 1/2 cup
Cacao powder - 1/4 cup
Sea salt - 1 teaspoon
Coconut oil - 1/4 cup
White vinegar - 1-1/2 tablespoons
Vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon
Water - 1 cup

Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
2. Mix wet ingredients and dry ingredients in two separate bowls
3. Combine both the wet and dry ingredients in one bowl
4. Mix on a low speed for one minute, a medium speed for another minute and a high speed for two minutes using a hand mixer or kitchen aid.
5. Line baking tray with cupcake cases
6. Pour batter into cupcake cases - about 2/3 full
7. Place in oven for 15 to 20 minutes

For the butter cream icing:
Vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon
Icing sugar - 2 cups
Dairy free butter - 1 cup
Almond milk - 3 tablespoons
Raw sugar - 1 cup

Steps:
1. Combine all ingredients into a bowl
2. Mix ingredients together using a hand mixer or kitchen aid for about 4-5 minutes (this will make the icing fluffy)
3. Pipe onto cupcakes once cooled
4. (optional) Sprinkle some shredded coconut on top or whatever you desire.

...and finally you can devour! 

Love always,
Sara xo

Sephora & Priceline Beauty Haul

Hi loves, after a long and exhausting two weeks of exams, I finally had the chance to spoil myself with a few make-up goodies. To be fair, I needed to update the products in my collection because I was getting kind of bored.. I placed an order at Sephora and went to Priceline and this is what I got!

Becca Jaclyn Hill Collection Champagne Splits Shimmering Skin Perfector Mineral Blush in 'Champagne Pop - Floweredchild': LOOK AT THIS BEAUTY. I have been dying to try the Champagne Pop highlighter for so long and now I finally have it. I was originally going to purchase just the highlighter but then I saw this cute duo and could not pass it up. Both the highlight and blush are so pigmented and I cannot wait to use this in my make-up routine.

Tarte Tartelette Tease Palette: How cute is this palette. This is evidently the small version of the Tartelette in Bloom Clay Palette. I purchased the mini one because I have never tried Tarte shadows before. This palette has literally all my favourite eyeshadows. All these shades are so pigmented + there is a perfect range of mattes and shimmers. I highly recommend checking out this one!

Original Beauty Blender: I had to get this booty blender (as Patrick Starrr would say). I've gone through so many sponges from other brands so I thought it was time to give the original a go. I am still yet to try this so I will let you know what I think!

Australis Make-Up Finishing Spritz: What is life without setting spray. I love setting spray and I do not feel complete without it. So far I'm loving this one for a dewy finish however, nothing beats the Urban Decay all nighter setting spray. Australis was having a sale so I'd thought I'd give this one a go.

Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder: Throw back to the good old days when I was starting out with make-up. This powder is a classic. It is incredible quality for the price. It has amazing coverage and is perfect for setting foundation. I cannot wait to start using it again!

Australis Banana Powder: Special thanks to Bella Fiori for always using this in her youtube videos - now I am hooked! The banana powder was the only shade I used from the Australis on tour contour palette so I was really excited when they came out with this as a single pringle. This powder is lovely for brightening under the eyes and completing any make-up look.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lip Stick in 'Lolita': I have been dying to try a Kat Von D liquid lipstick. This shade is my all time favourite lip colour. It's a mauve with a pink undertone that suits all skin tones. This is very similar to 'Candy K' by Kylie Cosmetics but I feel like the Kat Von D formula is so much better!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner: I have been on the look out for a new liquid liner and I have heard nothing but great reviews on this one so I had to pick it up. I am still yet to use this one but I will update you when I do.

Eylure London Definition Lashes in 'number 121': You cannot go wrong with this classic style of lashes - that is smaller on the inner corner and fuller on the outer edge. I love Eylure lashes because they are lightweight and easy to apply. This pair was too pretty too leave on the shelf. 

That is what I purchased recently. Let me know if you have tried any of these products..I hope you enjoy your week!

Love Always,
Sara xo

Sleek MakeUP - Solstice Highlighting Palette

I was feeling down the other day.. I came home from school and saw this beautiful thing sitting at my doorstep. I was fortunate to receive the Solstice Highlighting Palette by Sleek MakeUP and I'm so keen to review this for you because it has become one of my holy grail products! (I mentioned it in my monthly favourites)

I love Sleek MakeUP and I knew this palette would not disappoint. I opened it and there I see this beautiful, gold packaging. I'll be honest, it felt quite cheep at first because it's really light weight - I suppose that's a good thing? I mean, I don't want to be holding a brick when I apply my highlight. It also comes with a mirror which is handy, plus a brush - let's be real, who actually uses the brushes that come with products? (totally cool if you do, just not my preference)

Any-who, I opened the palette and my jaw dropped. I admired this for a solid three minutes. The palette comes with four high lighting shades, one cream finish, a silky shimmer and two baked powders. The baked powders caught my attention first because I've never owned anything like it. All the powder highlights are highly pigmented as well as the cream finish. 

"Hemisphere" (top right) is a lush baby pink shade that looks perfect on fair skin. It's also perfect for spring! "Equinox" (bottom right) is a beautiful peachy shade with gold reflects. This one is particular has been my favourite because it suits all skin types. "Subsolar" (bottom left) is your classic ivory shimmer. I have been wearing this one every day. It's a little more subtle then the baked powders, although it's blinding in the sunlight - feel a bit like Edward Cullen's. Lastly, "Ecliptic" (top left) I haven't been reaching for this one that much but it's still very loved. It's a pearl-pink shade that is applies as a cream formula and sets in a silky, powder finish. This one is perfect to pair up with any of the powders for a more extreme glow. - cheekbones will be popping. 

Overall, I am very pleased with this palette. It's perfect for all skin tones as you get a nice selection of shades. I highly recommend you check this palette out if you are looking for a new and affordable highlight palette. Let me know if you've tried this! (Target Australia now stocks SleekMakeUP if you did not already know). 

Love Always,
Sara xo