Apple Cinnamon Tea Cake

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I learned about this recipe two weeks ago. I have never baked before so I wanted to try it. I got all of the ingredients together and I borrowed my mother-in-laws hand mixer. It took me about an hour to prepare and about 50 minutes to bake. It was absolutely fantastic!

My first baking experience was wonderful and it was a great success. The cake was light and fluffy and there was just enough cinnamon in it and just enough sugar and the Granny Smith apples were juicy and delectable! I served it with vanilla ice cream and my family really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed this dish and will be making it again and again. If you would like to try it the recipe is below. And where did I learn about this recipe? None other than my favorite Youtube friend, Mrs. Trina! Her video is below. Enjoy!

*Apple and Cinnamon Tea Cake* (see website here)
Makes one 9 inch cake, serving 8 to 10

A deliciously moist cake, filled with lovely apples and cinnamon flavours.   Serve warm with softly whipped double cream for a real treat!

185g of unsalted butter, softened (3/4 cup)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
126g of golden caster sugar (2/3 cup)
3 large free range eggs, lightly beaten
150g of plain flour (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
78ml of whole milk (1/3 cup)

To top:
4 small Granny Smith Apples, peeled, halved and cored
1 tsp caster sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

To finish:
a heaped dessertspoon of apricot jam, gently warmed (about 1/4 cup)

To serve:
Softly whipped double cream


Preheat the oven to 170*C/325*F/ gas mark 3.  Butter a 9 inch round spring form cake tin.   Line the bottom with baking paper.  Butter the paper.  Set aside.

Cream together the butter, cinnamon and sugar until light and fluffy.   Beat in the eggs, a bit at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.   Add to the creamed mixture, alternately with the milk.  Spread the batter in the prepared pan.  Cut little slits in the apples almost all the way through working from the rounded top down, taking care to leave them intact on the flat side.  Place the apple halves evenly spaced around the cake on top of the batter.  Stir together the sugar and cinnamon.  Sprinkle evenly over top.

Bake for 50 minutes.  Remove from the oven.  Gently brush with the apricot jam.   Return to the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes, or until the cake tests done when a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Serve warm, cut into wedges along with some softly whipped double cream.

apple and cinnamon tea cake – YouTube
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

A Guide to Elegance- Book Review- Girlfriends

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I purchased this book sometime last year and I tell you what I have really enjoyed it!! The tips and suggestions about elegance for the average woman are just fantastic! This book was written by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux in the 60’s.

Some of the suggestions about fashion are a little off but the overall premise of the book is great! I love all the chapters. She discusses from A to Z all of the elements a woman would need in order to have elegance in her life. I will have to admit that I do have a few chapters that have just stayed with me. The chapter called “Girlfriends” will make you think. Below is a little snippet of the chapter:

GIRLFRIENDS

It is a good rule never to go shopping with a girlfriend. Since she is often an unwitting rival as well, she will unconsciously demolish everything that suits you best. Even if she is the most loyal friend in the world, if she simply adores you, and if her only desire is for you to be the most beautiful, I remain just as firm in my opinion; shop alone, and turn only to specialists for guidance.

Besides, as well-intentioned as she may, your girlfriend seldom has exactly the same figure, the same kind of life, the same social condition, the same tastes as you. And so she sees things quite differently, and she can only see them in relation to her own taste, her own budget, her own needs. What you might choose for yourself, she sees on herself, considers that it doesn’t suit her- or, on the contrary, that it suits her better than it does you- and by her comments undermines the little self-confidence you have managed to retain….

You must buy the book it is priced very well and is easy to find. I have not finished the book yet but I will continue to post book reviews from it. A Guide to Elegance, simply elegant!!!

Being Elegant in Public Bathrooms

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Oh my this is a touchy subject. Public bathrooms are just gross sometimes. I know that bathrooms are made for doing “your business” but some people’s business is worse than others. I have made a habit of trying to be nice, clean and as odor free as I can be when going to public bathrooms.

Sometime ago, I went into a bathroom and noticed that there was no tissue! I was horrified! So to remedy that I now carry personal cleansing cloths. They come in different scents and they are just wonderful! They are also hypoallergenic so you don’t have to worry about “breaking out”.

Another item I carry is room spray. Bath & Body Works and Yankee Candle sell fantastic room sprays! They are small enough to keep in your bag or your baby bag (if you still carry one). So I go in do my business, use my wipes, spray my bottle once, wash my hands and when the next person comes in after me they are greeted with a friendly scent and not thinking, “Oh Lord”!

So I encourage you to visit your local Bath and Body Works or Yankee Candle to pick up your favorite room spray. The prices range from $5-$7 and the wipes are sold in most stores. They are about $3 a box and are small enough to keep in your makeup bag. Below are photos of what I carry now. Enjoy!

(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Afternoon Tea Etiquette

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I love having tea! It reminds me of the days gone by. I love getting together with some friends having tea and talking about anything. I think that learning tea etiquette is also a wonderful trait to add to being a lovely lady.  I have a channel on Youtube and I enjoy watching some of the videos of some of the women that I follow. There is one in particular and her name is Trina Leavers. She lives in London and I just love her style!

She is so elegant and down to earth. I started following her a few months ago and I have learned so much from her. She is like a distant girlfriend that I chat online with. In one of her videos she talk about how to have afternoon tea (London style). She has this tea set called Royal Albert Old Country Roses. It is just stunning!

While at Macys I find the Royal Albert set and my goodness is it expensive! Just for one tea cup and saucer alone is $60! So what did I do, I went to Ebay.  I found a cup and saucer set for $25! I was so excited. So now I am on a quest to complete my set. I will have to buy it piece by piece but oh well. Below is a photo of me with my cup and also is the video with Mrs. Trina in it. I have also attached a video of the proper way to have tea. The videos are so fun! I hope you enjoy them!

how to make a proper cup of tea – YouTube
English Cream Tea Etiquette – YouTube

Slips- An Elegant Essential

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I know that the sound of the word “slip” can make you cringe but I have found that slips can cover a multitude of sins. Slips may seem “Granny Annie” but they are absolutely great for looking and feeling polished in your clothes. I have had a few times when I have looked at myself in the mirror (at home) and could not see anything but then when I go to work it seems that the lights are set in “X-Ray” vision!

So as a precaution I wear slips. There are so many great options out there now. They have shaping slips and all the colors that are available are just great! The prices for slips aren’t bad either. I needed a nude color skirt slip and I was doing some shopping in Walmart and found one for only $8! Of course, there are higher end versions but if you don’t want to pay a lot then check out Walmart, Target and JC Penny just to name a few.

Below are some photos of a few examples. The black skirt slip is only $5 at Walmart and the gray dress slip is only $16.99 at Target. Also, there is a video below from the Daily Connoisseur about 3 Essential Slips. Enjoy!

Photo by Ava Sol on Unsplash

sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CEAQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4dKUDUfzSN8&ei=Jv46U7b2FqrFsATr8YGgCA&usg=AFQjCNEpHGBKIK6B8zbHaRQYFOsRlwR_Jg&sig2=2mPIWLmNgAGiqltkLPg-pA”>3 Essential Slips – YouTube