The Surprise cupcakes

It was Handsome husband's uncle's Surprise 50th birthday party (the party was a surprise, not that he was going to be 50, I'm pretty sure he knew his age alright)

We were invited and secret birthday cupcakes had been requested.  I was happy to oblige, but nervous of having to travel with them first the 150 miles to my marvellous parents, and then on into and across London via train and tube and shanks' pony.

Anyway, logistics aside, I went for a flavour combination of vanilla on vanilla, mixed with a few cheeky chocolate buttercream iced ones as well.  For the colour scheme, shades of blue in big and mini stars and initials, with matching glitters (of course) kept it about as masculine as you can get with cupcakes (though I'm always on the look out for tiny cutters in the shapes of spanners, etc)

The cupcakes were a big success.  The party was an even bigger success, with Uncle J winning a clear award for 'Surprise birthday party candidate who was the most surprised ever'  We drank champagne and laughed and cried at his lovely speech.  Then toddled back to our hotel for a relax, before heading out for more eating and plenty of cocktails. yum.

And a final word on the cupcakes too, I don't normally go for such bright colours as the blue here on the butter icing, but I think it turned out rather handsome in the end.

Not cake, but jewellery.

It was half term last week and as Handsome husband had some time off, I popped up for a mini-break in the Big Smoke.  It was fabulous.  Handsome husband said I should have some time off just to myself (as he is a super husband) so off to London I went for some serious girly time.  I saw my wonderful old friends and their new babies, had beauty treatments and shopped and shopped and shopped.

I am devoted to both Mac makeup and Shu Uemura  Their colours, pigment strengths and quality are second to none...and neither of which you can buy in Devon.  I miss being near to their shops and so to lounge in the luxury of the Mac pro shop just off Carnaby street and the Shu counter at the marvellous Liberty was pure heaven.

As well as treating myself to a serious refresh of my makeup bag,  I also popped along to the Alex Monroe counter in Liberty.  This darling ring caught my eye and I fell in love.  It's so silly and quintessentially english, its the mad hatters tea party in jewellery form. Perfect.